The minor poems of the Vernon ms. ... (with a few from the Digby mss. 2 and 86) ...816 600dpi TIFF G4 page imagesUniversity of Michigan LibraryAnn Arbor, Michigan2006APE7335.0001.001820.6 E13 no.98,117

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Early English Text Society. Original series, 98, 117Early English Text Society (Series). no. 98, 117.The minor poems of the Vernon ms. ... (with a few from the Digby mss. 2 and 86) ...Horstmann, Carl, b. 1851.Furnivall, Frederick James, 1825-1910.2 v. 22 cm. London,Pub. by K. Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co., for the Early English Text Society,1892-1901.Part 1 edited by C. Horstmann; pt. 2, by F.J. Furnivall.

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 enm English poetry

The Minor Poems of the Vernon MS. PART I.

THE TEXT EDITED BY CARL HORSTMANN. (SIDE-NOTES BY F. J. FURNIVALL. )

[Part II, edited by Dr. J. Kail, is at Press.]

LONDON: PUBLISHT FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY BY KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & CO., CHARING CROSS ROAD, W.C. 1892.

BERLIN: ASHER & CO., 5, UNTER DEN LINDEN. NEW YORK: C. SCRIBNER & CO.; LEYPOLDT & HOLT. PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.

The Minor Poems of the Vernon MS. PART II (WITH A FEW FROM THE DIGBY MSS. 2 AND 86).

EDITED BY F. J. FURNIVALL, M. A. CAMBRIDGE, HON. DR. PHIL. BERLIN.

[Part III, the Introduction and Glossary, by MISS F. LEJEUNE, of Somerville College, Oxford (a First-Class in English, June 1900), is preparing, and will be issued in 1901.]

LONDON: PUBLISHT FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY BY KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & CO., PATERNOSTER HOUSE, CHARING-CROSS ROAD 1901

BERLIN: ASHER & CO., 13, UNTER DEN LINDEN. >NEW YORK: C. SCRIBNER & CO.; LEYPOLDT & HOLT. PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.

Original Series, No. 117.

R. CLAY & SONS, LIMITED, LONDON & BUNGAY.

I. La estorie del Euangelie. (A FRAGMENT.)Ed. before by me in Engl. Stud., viii. 2.

(Title:) I ceste liuere est escrit la estorie del Euangelie en engleis solum ceo ke ele est escrit en latin, et continue de la Anunciacion nostre seignour Ihesu crist. De la Natiuite be|nette. De sa Passion. De sa Resurexion. De sa Ascension e de sa Glorificacion. Et de soun Auenement a Jugement et de nostre presentement en cors en alme.

(Picture cut out.)

 Sum-while ich was wiþ sunne i-bounde, And sunne me hath icast to grounde; Bote, swete Ihesu, þi swete woundus Leesed me haþ of harde stoundus. Whon I to þe tornde my þouht, Pynes to þole ne greueþ me nouht; Þy Deþ me haueþ of serwe i-brouht And loue to þe in me haþ wrouht. Þe to loue is al my blisse, Me longeþ sore þi woundus to kisse. Swete Ihesu, my þouht þou wisse, On þe to þenche þat I ne misse. ffole þouhtes me were woned to tille, ffeole tymes to don ille, In word, In dede, In wikked wille, Niht and Day, al me to spille: Bote whon I me vndurstod Þat þou for me scheddest þi blod, ffolye to leue me þhouhte good And to þe, Ihesu, I tornde my mood. Bote ȝit I me bi-gon to drede Þat he þat eggeþ mon to quede Wiþ sunfol þouht me wolde lede To wikked wille or fool dede. Þerfore my þouht on þe i feste; ffor þer i wot to fynden reste— Of vche loue þou art þe beste, Þou art þe loue þat euere wol leste. Nis no mon, Ihesu, bote in þe In whom bi-houeþ us I-borwed be. Þi loue to winne, i wolde fonde, Ȝif I me mihte wel vndurstonde, Sum þing of þe to write and rede, Þer-þorwh of þe to winnen mede. And heo þat scholden hit iheren, Of þe Gospel mowe sumwhat leren Þat writen is þer-Inne of þe, On Englisch tonge þorwh swynk of me. Wyse men bi Olde dawes Bokes made of goode lawes, Hou me scholde hem wiþ rihte leden And wys to ben in alle heor deden; And þei no-þing ne wusten of þe, But goddus heo maden of ston and tre, And þing þat ne mihte seo ne here ffor God heo honourede and heolde dere: Sonne and Mone, Day and Niht, Sterre and al þat ȝiueþ lyht, Þat Goddus weren alle þei wenden, And God of heuene no-þing ne kenden. Of grete Clerkes also we fynde Þat Bokes made of Beestes kynde, Of ffoul, of Ston, of Gras, of Treo, And al for Mon þeron to seo, Solace to haue and techinge, And hem to holde from fool lykynge— ffor whose hereþ of Beestes kynde Mony wondrus he may þer fynde, ffeole þinges seon and here Wher-þorwh he may him-self lere Hys lyf to lede wiþ more wynne, Good to do and hatyȝe synne. A wys mon seiþ þat bestes weren, Hert and Eddre, þeos þreo, and Ern, Þat heore lyf chaungede þorwh here kynde— ffor þus of hem I-write we fynde: Þat kuynde ȝifþ vche mon eggynge, Of vche good þing haue ȝeornyng. Bote beter þyng ne mai no mon fynde Þan þe, lord of alle þynge, Þat Beest and ffoul and alle wiht At wille beoþ vndur Monnes miht.— Ihesu louerd, þi loue to wynne Ȝif me grace to bi-gynne, Loue me sende to fordo synne, Þat al monkynde was bounden Inne. Ar Godus sone in þe Maiden alyhte, Aȝeyn þe deuel we nedde no mihte; ffor we weren vndur his mihte, Of good to don we loren þe sihte. Þat tyme was sunne so ryf, In Old, In ȝong, In Mon, In Wyf: As sone as heo laften þe lyf, To helle heo wenden wiþ-outen stryf. Habraham, Ysaak, and seint Ion, Dauid þe kyng, and Salamon, Þidere heo wenden, euerichon,— Heo nedden þo no beter won. fforte Godus sone was don on Rode, ÞidereMS. þiderre wente wikkede and goode, Þe wikkede to pyne, wiþ dreri mode, Þere to beo þe deueles foode; Bote þulke soules swete Þat here on lyue heore synnes leete, In freo prisun þenne was heore sete, To abyde þe biheste of þe prophete. Prophetes weren I-woned to grede: "Ow schal comen wiþ-oute drede Þat flesch schal taken in Maydenhede And us to Ioye of pyne lede." Whon God of heuene herde þis cry, Of Monkynde he hedde mercy: And ches a Mayde of gret ferly, Clene in soule and in body. To hire he sende a swete fere, Þat him was swiþe leof and dere: Gabriel, wiþ swete chere, And hire gon grete on þis manere: "Heil, ful of grace, God is wiþ þe, A-Mong wymmen I-blessed þou be!" Þe Maide was dred on him to seo, And þouhte what þis mihte beo.(Here picture: Mary and angel.) ÞEnne him spac þe Aungel fre: "Marie, nouht ne dreed þou þe! A child schal beo boren of þe, Iesus schal his nome be. He schal þe ffader of heuene qweme, In Dauid sete sitte and deeme, Þe folk of Israel he schal ȝeme And heore fon from hem fleme." Þenne onswerde þat swete Mayde To þe Aungel Gabriel and sayde: "Hou schal þis be? nouȝwher I ne leide Mi þouht to luste of mon vpbreide." Þen þe Aungel hire herte dihte, And of þis gretynge hedde in-sihte: "Þe holy gost (he seide) schal in þe alihte And in þe worche wiþ his mihte. Þe chyld þat of þe schal beo bore, Godus sone he schal beon i-core; He schal þe folk, þat herbi-fore, To blisse bringe, þat heo hedden forlore. And þat þou þe soþe lere, Þi nece Eliȝabeþ, lo here, Þat is in elde feole ȝere, Heo haþ chyld take of hire feere. Þe sixte Moneþ now is anon Þat heo haþ wiþ chylde igon— ffor to God of heuene, þat is on, Nis word of vnmihte non." Nolde Marie no lengore plede, Þis wordes in hire herte heo sede: "Lo me her Godus Mayde, Wiþ me do God as þou hast sayde!" As sone as þis was in hire þouht, In hire was Monnes kuynde i-wrouht And soþfast God was þerto i-brouht— Mon, þer-of ne dred þe nouht! Þe Aungel Marie God bi-kende And to him eode þat him sende. And sone aftur þat mayde wende To Eliȝabeþ, hire kuynde frende. Sone so þe Mayde Marie Entrede þe hous of Ȝakarie, Eliȝabeth In prophecie Þe Maide custe and þus gon crie: "A," heo seide, "how may þis be Þat my lordus modur comeþ to me? As sone as ich herde þe steuene of þe, Þe Child in my wombe makede gle. ¶ A-Mong wymmen I-blessed þou be, And blessed beo þe fruyt of þe!"Here should follow v. 275 ff. Þer bilafte þat swete may Wiþ Eliȝabeth wel moni a day— Ne louede heo no foles play, Bote louede God and þonked ay.(Picture: Mary and Elizabeth.) ÞEnne þer was a swete metynge, Swete cluppinge and swete cussynge! A Mayde þat bar þe lord of alle þinge, A wyf þat bar seint Ion in holy weddinge! Þis was seynt Ion for whom bi-fore His ffader hedde his speche for-lore, And to þe tyme þat he was bore, As þe Aungel seide bi-fore. ¶ Ȝakarie was his ffadre name; Gret mon he was and of good fame. Tyme com of þe seruyse, Þat he don scholde in heore wyse: In þe temple he saih vp rise Bifore him a mon, and him gon agrise. HIt was an Aungel, Godes sonde, Þat gon at þe Auter stonde, And Ȝakarie he com to fonde, Don his seruyse bad him not wonde. "Ȝakarie," he seide, "ne dred þou nouht! Bifore God þi bone is wrouht; Þat þou hast him bi-souht, Schal in Eliȝabeth ben i-wrouht: A child þou schalt on hire winne, Þat schal ben Ioye to al his kinne, I-blessed he beo hire wiþ-Inne; Ion he schal hote, clansere of sinne.(Picture: Zacharias and Angel.) At his Burth-tyme me schal gamen & pleye: He schal greiþen godus weye, To þe folk he schal soþ seye And mis-bileue he schal doun leye." Ȝakarie onswerde wiþ dreri chere: "Hou may þis ben on eny manere? Boþe we beþ olde, ich and my fere, And forþ igon in feole ȝere." Þe Aungel seide: "Þis schalt þou se. And for þat þou leuest not me, Þou schalt beo Doumbe, ich sigge þe, fforte þat child ibore be." Þe Aungel bi-lafte no lengore þore, Ne Ȝakarie ne spac no more, Bote out he eode, sikynge sore— Þe folk hedde wondur wherfore hit wore. Bote heo seiden alle by-dene Þat he haþ sum wondur i-sene Þat he so longe haþ i-bene In þe temple, as we wene. Ȝakarie þenne dude his dede, Nout for his fleschliche nede, But child to wynnen, ȝif he miht spede, And so of God to wynne meede. Þat swete couple at þat metynge Of ffleschliche lust hedde no lykynge, Bote holy wille and swete egginge To Godus seruyse chyld forþ bringe. A child he won þorwh godus mihte, Þorwh Godus heste, and hedde insihte: In Eliȝabeth þe holigost lihte And þat child in hire dihte. Eliȝabeth ful glad was þo Þat heo gon wiþ chylde go! A-wey heo let al hire wo Þat heo hedde fourti ȝer and mo.— Whon þat child scholde iboren be, His frendes aboute of þe cuntre Wiþ blisful chere, gamen and gle Alle he comen þe child to se. ¶ Þenne seiden his frendes alle Ȝakarie heo wolden him calle. Þat herde þe Modur, þer heo lay, And onswerde and seide: "nay, "Mi leue frendes, doþ a-way! Ion he schal hote, ȝif I may." ¶ Alle heo seiden þat þer nas non In al heore kynde þat hihte Ion. To Ȝakarie þe word heo brouhte And bad him sigge what he þouhte. And he a table sone souhte And þeron þe nome wrouhte. On þe tablet he wrot anon Þe childes nome, he wrot Ion— "God bi-fore he schal gonv. 247-8 should follow v. 196. And to him torne mony on." Wondur hedde þo al his kynde Hou he mihte þis nome fynde. Bote God his tonge let vnbynde; And he him louede wiþ al his Mynde. "God," he seide, "i-blessed þou be, Þat of his folk wolde haue pite, And his Merci haþ i-sent to me, Þat þis child schulde i-bore be! This stanza follows v. 266 in the MS.And þou, child, schalt ben clept prophete, Þou schalt greiþe godus strete, Godus folk þou schalt . . . . .gete And hem teche heor sunnes bete. Þis speche to godus folk Þou schalt preche, Þou hem schalt þe soþe teche Hou heo schulle to heuene reche." . . . . .(Picture: Birth of John.) Also as ich er seyde, þe Maide Marie Hire lyf ladde wiþ-oute folye Wiþ Eliȝabeth and hire cumpaygnye. . . . . . Wiþ hem þenne was heo þore Þreo Moneþes, oþur more, Wiþ-outen sunne, wiþ-outen sore— Heo louede god, þat was hire lore. As seiþ þe holy mon seint Bede: ffrom hire nece nout heo ne eode Ar heo say fulliche in dede Eliȝabeth seint Ion fede.— Þenne heo þonked god, ful of blisse, Þat he wolde seo hire mekenesse And hire a sone sende in swetnesse, To taken in hire monnes liknesse. "Þerfore me schal al Monkynde Blisful telle in heore mynde, Þat he wolde in me Mekenesse fynde, Þat mihtful is to lame and blynde. Of Merci he was leche ffrom kynde þat dredde his speche. Of þe proude of herte he dude wreche, And dude þe Meke an heiȝ to reche; Þe hungri in god he made stronge, And þe riche he lette al swonge. Þe folk of Israel haþ vndurfonge Þe child þat heo abide longe; ¶ Also him spac þe heuene kyng To Abraham and his ofspring." Whon Marie hedde i-seȝe þe dede Of þe child and al þe neode, Þe Mayden hire bi-gon to spede And leue tok and hom heo eode. Whon heo com hom, Iosep to queme Þat als his spouse hire hedde to ȝeme, In his herte he gon hire deme, Hou heo mihte wiþ childe seme. Whar-of hit were, noþing he nuste, So as he neuere hire Mouþ custe Mid wille of sunne, ne neuer luste Hire Maidenhod fulliche vpbreste. And for in him nas no falshede, In word ne in þouht ne in dede, In his herte nas no drede Þauh heo hedde ilore hire Maydenhede. And for he neuere ne saiȝ wiþ eiȝe Þat heo to fool dede gon hire beyȝe, Loth him was on hire to lyȝe, OfMS. Of of fleschliche dede hire be-wrye. ffor wel he wuste, nas þer no speche, Þorwh þe lawe of spousbruche, Bote hire þe domesmon bi-teche, Sone of hire to take wreche. Aȝe þe lawe him lyked ille Þat me scholde a Mayde spille. ffor-þi bi-fel hit in his wille Þat Mayde lete and leuen hire stille.(Picture: An Angel appears to Joseph in his sleep.) ÞO Ioseph in his herte wende Ho[u] þis scholde come to ende, A-slepe he fel, as god him kende, And to him his Aungel sende: "Ioseph," he seide, "no-þing ne drede, Marie as þi spouse þou lede; Þat child in hire þo[u] schalt fede: Hit is þe holigostes dede. Þe holigost hire haþ beo mylde And Marie haþ i-brouht wiþ chylde; God in hire haþ i-do vertu: His nome þou schalt clepe Ihesu." Whon Ioseph herde þis tyþinge, Marie he heold in clene weddynge And wiþ þe Maide in good lykinge Mayde bi-lafte to his endynge.— Bi hem þat weore bi-fore Ioseph wuste whon god scholde be bore . . . . . ¶ Þat tyme was mihLast words cut out with the picture on the front page. . . . . . Augustus Cesar wa . . . . . In al þat lond nas . . . . . Ouer al þat lond w . . . . . He criede his ban . . . . . To alle þat weren . . . . . Þat vndur him no . . . . . Þat were of eny oþu . . . . . Whon Ioseph þus h . . . . . Wiþ him tok þe Ma . . . . . Out of Naȝareth h . . . . . And to Bethlehem h . . . . . In Bethleem he tok his wonynge, ffor Marie was neih childynge, And for his kun and his ofspringe Weoren of Dauidþes hous, þe kynge. In Bethlehem hous he tok, Luytel and pore, as seiþ þe Bok, In an old cote and al to-falle— Nedden heo no bettere halle. Seint Ierom a Mayde kende In a writ þat he hire sende: Þat [þat] Mayde won hire bred Wiþ hire nelde and hire þred. Whon þat child was forþ brouht, Luytel heo hedde oþur riht nouht fforte leggen Inne þat Bern, But a luyte hei oþur vern; Heo wounden him wiþ þat heo mihten gete, And leyden him, þer bestes ete.(Picture: Birth of Jesus.) Heo leyden him in Bestes stalles, I-loke bi-twene two olde walles— Þenne was fuld þe prophecie Þat bi-fore seide Ysayȝe: Þe Oxe and þe Asse hedde kennynge Of heore lord in heore stallynge. And Abacuc also haueþ i-seyd: By-twene two bestes he scholde be leyd.— So bi-fel þat ilke tyde Þat in þe cuntre þerbisyde Herdes wakede in a Mede, Heore bestes and heore schep to fede. Sone to hem an Angel wende And to hem brouhte a swete tyþinge— Heo bi-gonne to ben in doute Of liht þat was þer hem aboute. Þe Aungel seide: "nouȝt ȝe ne drede! Ich wole ow telle a blisful dede: A child is boren for oure nede, Þat schal his folk of pyne lede. And [þat] ich ou þe soþe bringe, Þat ich ȝiue ow to tokenynge: In Bethlehem he liht, i-wounde In cloþus, and in a Crubbe i-bounde. This stanza is corrupt.In a Crubbe he is leyd, As ich ow habbe er i-seid. He schal his [folk] of sunne bringe, As crist and lord of alle þinge."(Picture: An Angel appears to the Shepherds.). . . . .(The other leaves of this Poem are wanting in the MS.)The Index to MS. Vern. gives the following description of the poem: CIIII Of þe Anunciacioun ihesu crist. Of his Natiuite. Of his circumcisioun. hou he [was] offred to Symeon. Of þe passioun. Of þe resurrexioun. Of þe ascen|syoun. Of þe sendynge of þe holi gost. Of þe comyngge to þe day of dom. ¶ And oþere diuerse Stories of ihesu crist and of his modur; þe whyche [be] in diuerse paneles in peyntur, and euery panel had his scripture acordaunt þerto, þe whiche peynture his table suffisaunt.—Then followed: fol. CXI Þe pyte of crist stondynge in þe sepulcre. Þe scheld off þe fey. Þe scheld of þe passioun. Diuerse orisones to þe fadur and to þe sone and to þe holy gost, whit peyntures. CXII Salutaciones to vre lady, wiþ peynture annex. CXIII Ȝyt salutaciouns to vre lady. Then Miserere &c. II. Verse Paraphrase of Psalm LI.

(From the Seven Penitential Psalms, by Rich. Maidenstoon. Ed. by Adler and Kaluza in Engl. Stud. 1887, X, p. 242 ff., from MS. Digby 18, with various readings from MSS. Rawl. A 389 and Ashm. 61; there are, however, several more MSS. In MS. Rawl. the poem is ascribed to Richard Maidenstoon, in MS. Digby to Rich. Hampole. The Psalm Miserere begins v. 385, MS. Vern. v. 407. Beginning wanting, supplied from MS. Digby 18.)

 [Miserere mei, deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam: Mercy, god, of my mysdede,[Penit. Psalms, v. 385.] ffor þi mercy, þat mychel is. Late þi pite springe & sprede, And of þi mercy þat I not mys, And aftir þi goostly grace I grede. Now, dere god, þou graunte me þis, That I may lyue in loue & drede, And neuere eft to don amys! Et secundum multitudinem miseracionum tuarum dele iniquitatem meam. And aftir þi mercies þat ben fele, Lord, fordo my wickidnesse, And helpe me forto hide & hele Þe blames of my freelnesse! ȝif eny sterynge wolde me stele Out of þe cloos of þi clennesse, Wise þou me, in woo & wele, And kepe me from unkyndenesse! Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea, & a peccato meo munda me. More-ouere þou wasche me fro [my] synne, And fro my filþis clense þou me; Enserche my soule wiþoute & ynne, That I no more defoulid be; And as þin herte cleef atwynne Wiþ deolful deeþ on rode-tre,] So let me neuere werk bi-ginne,[Penit. Psalms, v. 407.] Lord, but ȝif hit like þe! Quoniam iniquitatem ego cognosco &c. ffor al my wikkednesse i knowe, And sunne is euere me aȝeyn. Þerfore let þi grace growe, Ihesus, þat were wiþ Iewes slayn. Riche and pore, heiȝe and lowe, Smale and Grete, ich am certeyn, At domes-day whon þou schalt bowe,MS. D: whan bemus blowe. Of þi merci schul beo fayn. Tibi soli peccaui & malum coram te &c. To þe only trespast haue I, Wrouht wikkedliche a-ȝein þi glori, Wiþ wordus and wiþ tricheri. Þou demest riht and hast victori: Þerfore þi blis nou beo-seche I; ffor told hit is in moni stori Þat hose crieþ to þi Merci, Is endelesliche in þi memori. Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus. Bi-hold hou in sunne i was conceyued Of my Modur, as Men beon alle, And of my ffadur nouȝt receyued Bote flesch ful ffrele and fayn to falle. Bote seþþhe þi flesch, lord, was parceyued And for vr sake strauht on stalle, Was neuer sinful mon deceyued Þat wolde to þi merci calle. Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti. Lo, for þow hast loued riht, Þe priue counseil of þi wit Þou hast me schewed þorwh þi miht: Twei kuyndes beþ to-gedere I-knit, Þral is fre and knaue is kniht, God is mon, as gospel writ. Ȝif my soule in peril is piht, Merci, God, and help þou hit. Asperges me domine ysopo & mundabor. Wiþ holi watur þou schalt me sprinke, And as þe snouh I schal be whit. ffor þauh my soule in sunne sinke, Wiþ weopyng watur Ial. it may ben quit. Dedly drauhtes þauh I drinke, Of repentaunce ȝif me respit. ffor on þi peynes hose þynke, In worldly welþe haþ no delyt. Auditui meo dabis gaudium. To myn herynge þou schalt ȝiue Gladnesse, to glade bones meke. In louhnesse lere þou me to liue, Leoue lord, I þe by-seke. Þe þeoues gult hit was forȝiue, On Rode-treo [his]MS. heore bones breke. A serwful herte and clene i-schriue Saueþ soule and bodi eke. Auerte faciem tuam a peccatis meis. ffrom my sunnes þou torne þi face, Put al my wikkednesse a-way. Gret is my gult, grettore þi grace, And elles fayleþ al vr fay. Sunnes fele þat me deface Makeþ þat I ne con not say, But crie Merci whon I trespace— Ichot þer nis non oþur way. Cor mundum crea in me, deus. Make in me, god, myn herte clene, Þat rihtful gost in me þou rewe.r. newe ffrom seuen sunnesr. sunnes seuen þou make hit schene, Wher so þou go I may þe suwe. Allas þi tormentes for tene, Þi bodi blak, þi bones bluwe! Mekeful lord, þou make hit sene Wiþ-Inne myn herte, þat hidous hewe. NE proicias me a facie tua & spiritum sanctum t. Cast me not out from þi visage, Tac not from me þyn holigost! To bi-holde þat feir Ymage, Of alle murþus hit is þe most. A blisful brid was brouht in Cage, Cauhtal. couþ and Cud in eueri cost, Whon þou weore drawen in tendre age To driuen adoun þe fendes bost. Redde michi leticiam salutaris tui. Of heleþe ȝif me ioye and blisse, And strengþe me wiþ þi spirit chef, And al my fyue wittes wisse, Þat I may loue þat þe is lef; And as þou miht my langour lisse, Þou brouhtest mon to gret bonchef, So let me neuere þi Merci misse Whon I am gret wiþ gostly greef. Docebo iniquos uias tuas: & impii. Þe wikkede i schal þi weies teche, Þe sunfule schule to þe conuerte. Þou sunful soule, beo war of wreche, And þenk hour. on crist is hed and herte, Breste, bak and bodi bleche, Hou hit was bete wiþ scourges smerte. To rewe on him I wolde areche, Allas þer may no ter out sterte! Libera me de sanguinibus, deus, deus. Deliuere me from blameful blod, Almihti god, lord, myn heleþe: Þen schal my tonge wiþ mylde mood Apertly schewe þi seli selþe. Þi rihtful blod ran doun of Rod, To wasschen vs from vr flescly fulþe, And mony a storm aȝeyn þe stood To wissen vs from þis worldly welþe. Domine labia mea aperies & os meum. Mi lippes, lord, þou schalt vndo, And my mouþ schal þi preisyng spelle: Þi merci and þi miht also Parfyt[li] may no tonger. no tonge may telle. ffor whon we dedly sunne do, Þi riht vs dampned anonal. demeþ doun to helle; But whon we sese and con sei ho,sei ho, i. e. stop. Þi Merci is vr wasschyng-welle. Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium dedissem. Weore sacrifice to þi likyng, I hedde hit ȝiue wiþ herte fre; But, certeynly, no such þing As in him-self plesaunt may be. Þi-self were offred, a child ful ȝing, And afturward on Rode-tre, Whon of þin herte þe blod con spring: Þerfore myn herte I offre to þe. Sacrificium deo spiritus contribulatus. To God hit is a sacrifice A greued gost þat serweþ sore, An huymble herte wol not despise, Whil repentaunce may hit restore. I haue forlorenMS. R. forleten þi seruice And luitel i-lyued aftur þi lore; But i repente nou and aryse: Merci, god, I wol no more. Benigne fac domine in bona voluntate. Wiþ meke wil do to syon, Ierusalem walles þat þei weore wrouht. Ierusalem, as seiþ seint Ion, IsMS. In holy churche þat erreþ nouht. Two testamentes cordyngeal. acordeþ in on Þe walles were to-gedere i-brouht, Whon him-self was Corner-ston Þat Monkuynde haþ so deore abouht. Tunc acceptabis sacrificium iusticie. Þenne schaltou sacrifice accepte Of rihtfulnesse [&] truþe entere, And calueren after þi precepte Þei schul beo leyd on þin Autere. On Caluarie a calf þer crepte, Crist on Cros, boþe clene and clere. ffor teres þat his Modur wepte, He schylde vs alle from helle fere! III. her biginneþ an orisun of þe trinite.

The same in northern dialect in MS. Thornton, ed. by Perry, Religious Pieces in Prose and Verse, E. E. T. S. 1867, No. 6, p. 75 ff.

FAdur and Sone and Holigost, Lord, to þe I crie and calle, Studefast god of mihtes most, My sunful lyf is steken in stalle: I preye þe, lord, þat þou þeMS. me haste Me to helpe, þat I ne falle, And mak my soule clene and chaste Of dedly sunnes and vueles alle. Lord, haue Merci of my synne, And bring me out of al my care; Euele to do wol I nouP T couthe neuer blynne, I haue I-wrouht aȝeynes þi lawer. lare: Þou rewe of me [boþe] out and Inne, And hele me of my woundes sare; Lord, þat al þis world schal winne, Hele me ar i fonde and fare. FAdur in heuene þat welP all may, I preye þe, lord, þat þou me lede In rihte weyes of stable fay; At myn endynge whon I haue drede, Þi grace ich aske [boþe] niht and day, And ȝif me merci of my misdede. Of myn askyng sei not nay, But help me, lord, at al my nede. Swete Ihesu, for me was boren, Þou here my preyere loud and stille, ffor pyne þat me is leid bi-foren Ofte i sike and wepe my fille. Ofte so haue I ben for-sworen Whon I haue don aȝeynes þi wille, Suffre neuere þat I beo loren, Lord, for myne dedes ille. ÞE holygost, i preye to þe Niht and day in good entent, Of al my serwe cumforte me, Þin holi grace þou me sent,P be to me sent And schild me, ȝif þi wille be, ffrom dedly sunne, þat I ne beo schent, ffor Marie loue, þat Maiden fre, In whom þou lihtest, verreyment. I preye þe, ladi Meoke and mylde, Þat þou preye for my misdede, ffor [þe] loue of þi swete childe, As þou him sauh on Rode blede. Euerȝite haue I ben wylde, Mi sunfol soule is euere in drede: Merci ladi, þou me schilde, And helpe me euere at al myn nede. Merci, Marie, Mayden clene! Þou let me neuere In sunne dwelle, Preye for me þat hit beo sene, And schild me from þe pyne of helle. ffor certes, ladi, riht wel i wene Þat al my fomen maiȝt þou felle. ffor-þi my serwe to þe I mene, Wiþ ferful mod my tale i telle. BI-þenk þe, ladi, euere and ay Of alle wimmen þou berest þe flour; ffor sunfol mon, as I þe say, God haþ don þe gret honour. Receyue my preyere niht and day, Whon I þe be-seche in eny a Our; Help me, ladi, so wel þou may, Me bi-houeþ þou beo my counseilour. Off counseil, ladi, i preye to þe Niht and day, in wele and wo; Of al my serwe cumforte me, And beo my scheld aȝeynes my fo. ffor, certes, ȝif þi wille hit be, Al my fo-men maiȝt þou slo. Help me, ladi hende and fre, Þou take þat þe is fallen fro. At myn endynge þou stonde bi me Whon I schal henne fonden and fare, Whon þat I quake and dredful be, And al my sunnus I rewe hem sare. As euere myn hope haþ ben in þe, Þenk þeron, ladi, and help me þare, ffor [þe] loue of þat swete tre Þat Ihesu spradde [on] his bodi bare. Ihesu, for þat illeP ilke harde stounde Þat þou woldest on Rode blede, At myn endynge whon I schal founde Þou haue merci of my misdede, And hele me of my dedlich wounde, And help me in þat muchele nede; Whon deþ me takeþ and bringeþ meom. me to grounde, Þen schal i, lord, þi domes drede. LOrd, for my sunnes to do penaunce, ffor my dedesP Be-fore my dede þou graunte hit me AP And space of verrey Repentaunce In serwe of herte, I preye to þe. In þi merci is myn affyaunce; Of my folye þou haue pite, Þat þou of me ne take veniaunce, Lord, for þi benignite. LOrd, as þow art ful of miht And as þou alle þinges wost, My lyf amende, my dedes riht, This verse added on the margin.ffor mari loue þat maiden chost,P chaste And bringe me sone in to þat liht Wiþ-outen ende þer ioye is most, On þe to seo þat swete siht, ffadur and Sone and Holigost. AMEN. IV. A confessioun to Jhesu crist. Swete Ihesu crist, to þe A gulti wrecche Ich ȝelde me ffor sunnes þat ichaue ido In al my lyf hider-to. In Pruide, in Envye, In lecherye, In Sleuþe, In Wraþþe, In Glotenye, In al þis worldus Couetyse, Ichaue isunged In alle þyse. I-broken Ichaue þi Comaundemens Aȝeynes myn owne Conciens, And not iserued þe to queme: Lord Merci, ar þe dom is deme. TO ofte ichaue in my lyue Isunged in my wittes fyue, Wiþ Eres I-herd, wiþ Eiȝen siht, Wiþ sunful speche day and niht, Wiþ Honden I-hondlet, wiþ feet I-go, Wiþ Neose i-smullet eft also, Wiþ herte sunfulliche i-þouht, Wiþ al my bodi vuel I-wrouht: And of alle my folye Merci, lord Ihesu, Ich crye. Al-þauh ichaue i-sunged euere, Lord, i ne forsok þe neuere, Ne oþur god ne tok i none, ffadur of heuene, but þe one. And þerfore, lord, i þe biseche Wiþ rihtful hertliche speche, Ne ȝif þou me none mede Aftur my sunfule dede. But aftur, lord, þi grete pite Ihesu lord, asoyle þou me, And send me ofte, ar I dye, Serwe in herte, and ter in eiȝe, ffor sunnes þat ichaue i-do In al my lyf hider-to. And let me neuere eft biginne To do no more dedly synne, So þat I at myn endyng-day Clene of synne dye may, Wiþ Schrift and Hosul at myn ende; So þat my soule mowe wende In to þat blisful Empyre Þer þat þou regnest lord and sire. Swete ladi seinte Marie, fful of Alle Curtesie, Modur of Merci and of pite, Myn hope, myn help is al in þe. Wel ich wot, ibore þou were In help of al vs wrecches here; And wel ich wot þat alle þing Þi sone wol don at þi biddyng. Bi-sech þi sone lef and dere ffor me synful wrecche here; Bi-seche him, for þe loue of þe Þat he haue merci of me; And help me at myn ende-day ffrom þe foule fendes affray. BI-seche also þe flour of alle, Þi sone, for my frendes alle, Þat he hem kepe wiþ his grace ffrom alle perels in vche place, And ȝef hem god lyf and god ende, And Ioye whon þei schul heþene wende; And also alle cristene men. God lord Ihesus, Amen AMEN. Seint Michel and seint Gabriel And alle þe AngelesMS. Angls also wel, Preyeþ for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue merci. HOli Patriarkes and prophetes, Alle i preye ow and bi-seches: Preyeþ for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue merci. PEter and Poul, þe Apostles alle, Alle i beo-seche ou ȝerne and calle: Preyeþ for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue merci. SEint Steuene and seint Laurens And alle gode Martires þat þoleden turmens, Preyeþ for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue Merci. SEint Martin and seint Nicholas And alle gode confessours þat euer was, Preyeþ for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue merci. Seinte Katerine and seinte Mergrete And alle þe virgines gode and swete, Preyeþ for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue merci. Seinte Marie Maudeleyne, To þe I preȝe and eke pleyne: Preyeþr. Prey for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue merci. Alle Halewen þat euere were, Þat beoþ crist lef and dere, Preyeþ for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue merci. V. A prayer to þe fiue woundes. Ihesu crist, my lemmon swete, Þat diȝedest on þe Rode-tre, Wiþ al my miht i þe be-seche, ffor þi woundes two and þre, Þat also faste mot þi loue In to myn herte ficched be As was þe spere in to þin herte Whon þou soffredest deþ for me. Ihesus þat diȝedest on þe Rode ffor þe loue of me And bouhtest me wiþ þi blode, Þou haue Merci of me: What me letteþ of eny þing ffor to loue þe, Beo hit me lef beo hit me loþ, Þow do hit a-wey from me, AMEN. VI. A preiere to vre ladi.

A similar poem in short verse, from a MS. of the 15th cent., see in Wright, Rel. Ant. II. 212. In the MS. the poem is written in half-lines; the colons (:) were added by me.

MArie Modur and Mayden : Euere wel þe be! Modur and Mayden mylde : Marie, þenk on me! Modur boþe and Mayden : Was þer neuere non To-gedere, ladi Marie : But þi-self al-on. ¶ Marie Mylde, þat Modur art : And mayden hol and clene, To-day me schilde and euere : ffrom serwe and herte-tene; Marie, out of synne : Euere kep þou me, And from þe deueles cumbrement : And out of his pouste. ¶ Marie ful of Merci : ffor þi Ioyes fyue Help me now and euere : To lyuen in clene lyue; And for þe deo[l]fulMS. deoful teres : Þou lettest vndur þe Rode, Send me in my lyue : Grace of gostly fode, Wher-wiþ I may my soule : Vche day her feden; And of bodily godus : Mi lyf also wiþ leden. HElp me, swete ladi : And alle frendes myne, And schild us here from alle vr fos : And from helle-pyne; Swete ladi of heuene : Schild us from worldus schame, And from þe deueles wyles : And from wikkede fame, Nomeliche from dedly sunne : And from vilenye, And from alle-maner folk : Of wikked Cumpaignye. Swete ladi Maiden : Godus Moder Milde, Aȝeynes þe fendus turnes : Þou vs euere schylde, Þat no wikkede þing : Neuere vs do dere; ffrom sunne, ladi, euere : þou saue vs and were. ¶ In alle tymes, ladi : Boþe day and niht Help us, seinte Marie : Wiþ al þyMS. my meyn and miht. I preye þe for my frendes : And eke also for me, Þat we moten here : Amendet beo þorw þe; As mest vr soule is nedful : And also to vr lyue, Marie, mak hit so : Wiþ us, for þi Ioyes fyue. LAdi, for myn Enemys : I preye þe also, Þat heo in þis lyue : Moten her do so Þat heo neuer in synne : Ne in wraþþe dye; Swete ladi Marie : Herteliche I þe preye. And for alle þulke : Þat ben in clene lyue I preye þe, Marie : ffor þi serwes fyue; Euere whil heore lyf laste : Þer-Inne þou hem holde, Boþe whil þei ben ȝonge : And eke whil þei ben olde. FOr alle þo, ladi, i preye þe : Þat ben in dedly synne; Suffre hem neuere for no þing : Þat þei dye þer|Inne; Swete ladi Marie : Heom wisse euere and rede, And do hem amenden, ar þei dyen : heere heore misdede. MArie, for þi Ioyes : Þat blisful weren alle, Let me neuere here : In dedly sunne falle; Preye þou þi deore sone : Ihesu heuene-kyng, He graunte me soþfast schrifte : Hosel and god endyng, And for his precious blod : And his holy grace In heuene-riche wiþ him-self : Þat I mowe hauen a place. MArie, as my trust : Enterliche is in þe, ffor þi leoue sones loue : Þeos preyers graunt þou me; And beo myn help studefast : To gete me þat blisse Þat euermore schal lasten : Wiþ-outen eny misse AMEN. VII. A preyer at þe leuacioun.Title in the Index: Sixe salutacions to þe trinite in tyme of þe eleuacioun of godis body. WElcome, Lord, In fourme of Bred! In þe is boþe lyf and Ded, Ihesus is þi nome. Þou þat art In Trinite, Lord, þow haue Merci of me And schild þou me from schome. Heil Ihesu, godus sone, Holigost from heuene i-come, Kyng þou art i-Coren; Heil mon of most miht, Godus sone þat art so briht, Of Marie þou were boren. Heil god, best þe be, heil Blosme vppon tre, Heried beo þi sonde! Heil fruit, heil flour, Heil be þou Saueour Of watur and of londe. Heil kyng, heil kniht, heil mon of most miht, Prince in þi Trone, Heil Duyk, heil Emperour, Heil beo þou gouernour Of al þis worldus wone. Heil flesch, heil blod, heil mon of mylde mod, Heil beo þow kyng; Heil God ffeirest, Heil beo þou, bern best, Þow madest alle þyng. Heil Rose vppon Rys, heil mon of most pris, ffor us þou were ded; Heil God ful of miht, Godus sone þat art so briht, In fourme þou art of bred. VIII. A preyer at þe leuacioun.Title in the Index: An orysoun to godes body at þe leuacioun. I þe honoure wiþ al my miht In fourme of Bred as i þe se, Lord, þat in þat ladi briht, In Marie Mon bi-come for me. ÞI fflesch, þi blod is swete of siht, Þi Sacrament honoured to be, Of Bred and Wyn wiþ word i-diht; Almihti lord, I leeue in þe. I Am sunful, as þou wel wost: Ihesu, þou haue merci of me; Soffre þou neuere þat I be lost ffor whom þou diȝedest vppon þe tre, Ac þorwh þat ladi of Merci most Mi soule þou bringe in blisse to þe; Repentaunce to-fore mi deþ, Schrif[t] and Hosul þou graunte me, Wiþ ffadur and Sone and Holygost, Þat Regneþ God In Trinite. Amen. IX. Þe fyue Joyes of vr ladi. HAue Ioye, Marie, Modur and Maide, As þe Angel Gabriel Message to þe saide And brouhte þe tiþing Þat crist wolde in þe aliht. Help us, ladi, þorw þi miht To habben his blessyng. HAue Ioye, Marie, for þou were Glad of Ihesu þo þou him bere, Andr. al? wiþ-outen pyning; fful þou weore of Godus grace. Help me, Ladi, to seo þi face, ffeirest of alle þyng. HAue Ioye, Marie, feole siþe, ffor Ihesus a-Ros from deþ to lyue In a morwenyng, Þe þridde day þat he was ded. Ladi, schild us from þe qued And from his wikked tysyng. HAue Ioye, Marie, for þou seȝe Þat Ihesu crist to heuene steiȝe In to his woniȝing, And euere þou seȝe him at þi wille. Help us, ladi, þat we ne spille, Þorwȝ þi beo-seching. HAue Ioye, Marie, þow were vp fet And bi Ihesu crist I-set Þer þat he is kyng; Qween he made þe wiþ Croune. Help us, ladi, þorwh þi bone, And to blisse us bring. Amen. ¶ ffadur and sone and holigost, Al þat is and nis þow wost, And art wiþ-oute bigining: Lord, for þi Modur loue Graunt vs þe Ioye þat is aboue, Þat neuer haþ endyng. Amen. X. An orisoun to god.Title in the Index: An orysoun to god þe fadur. LOrd, my God al Merciable, I þe bi-seche wiþ herte stable Þat I mouwe euere wilne þat þing Þat most may beo to þy lykyng, And wysliche folewen euere þi wille, Sikerliche knowen and folfulle Þe louereden of þi nome and blis, Mi stat ordeynen as þi wille is. Al þin askyng and þi wille Euere do me, lord, folfille; As me may most in soule nede Þi wissynge help to spede. Mi wei to þe beo siker and riht, And harde i-fastnet wiþ þi miht, Þat I in weole þe þonke so And euere beo pacient in wo, Þat I ne falle neuer mo In nouþur of hem boþe two; Ne þat I neuere glad ne be But in þing þat lykeþ þe, Ne serwe neuere bote for þing Þat torne þe to mis-lykyng, Ne þat I neuere desire to plesen No mon falsliche ne displesen Bote þe, deore lord, al-one, ffor no drede of monnes mone. ¶ Al erþliche þing beo vyl to me, Lord, for þe loue of þe, And alle þinges þat þyne be Leof and deore mak hem me, And þou al-one, Almihti kyng, Out and ouer al oþur þyng Euer beo most in my lykyng, And wiþ me derworþest ouer alle þing. ¶ Alle Ioyes beo nuyous to me Þat ben, lord, wiþ-outen þe. In alle trauayles þat ben for þe Euer-more al my lykyng be. Restes alle þat ne ben in þe, Anuy and trauayle beo þei to me. Euere myn herte to þe þou dresse, Mi sunne to clanse wiþ serefulnesse. Boxum me make wiþ-oute feyning, And glad wiþ-outen ryotyng, Serwhful wiþ-outen þat luþer last To maken of my-self out-cast, Meur wiþ-outen greuoushed, And Murie wiþ-outen wyldehed, Soþ wiþ-outen falshed Or eny oþur doublehed Of fikel word wiþ double entente To bleenden þat þe sawe mente; Dredful wiþ-outen wonhope, And trust wiþ-outen ouer-hope; Min euencristne to vndurnyme so Þat þer ne beo no feynyng to, And wiþ-outen eny pruyde Hem to edefyen in alle tyde, In word, ensaumple, and in dede, To alle gode from alle quede; Vmble wiþ-outen ȝein-siggyng, Suffraunt wiþ-outen grucchyng. Waker herte ȝif þou me Euere, lord, a-bouten þe, Þat neuer non oþur curiousete Ne led my herte fromward þe. Ȝif me herte so noble and fre Þat no fals loue hit drawe fro þe. Ȝif me herte þat neuermore fayle, Ne bi= be conqueret in no trauayle. ¶ ffreo herte, lord, ȝif me wiþ wynne, Þat vuel delyt naue kalange Inne. ¶ Rihtful herte ȝif me also Þat no wrong wit ne enclyne to. ¶ Lord, ffadur of alle Merci, I þe bi-seche hertely Cunnynge, þe to knowe ariht Wiþ bisi sechinge day and niht, Wiþr. wit? þat I kunne fynde, Mi þewes in þi lykyng bynde; Perseueraunce þe to abyde, Ȝif me, lord, in vche a tyde, Wiþ hope trewe and studefast, Þat þe, lord, ay bi-cluppe fast;some vv. wanting? Þorwh penaunce þat I mowe do Þi pyneful [l]yfMS. pynefulyf mowe lykne to; ¶ And whil me lasteþ lyues space, Gode werkes vsen þorwh þi grace, Þyne Ioyes vsen and wiþ þe wone In þi glorie, wiþ ffadur and sone. Amen. XI. An orisoun to vr lord Jhesu.Title in the Index: An orysoun to god þe sone. In the MS. the poem is written in half-lines. LOrd, Swete Ihesu crist : Haue Merci of me, Þat out of heuene come : In to eorþe for me, And of þe Mayden Marie : Boren were for me, And on þe cros suffredest : Bitter deþ for me. Of Merci I þe bi-seche : Þat mest of mihtes may, Swete Ihesu my cumfort : Mi solas and my play; Of alle vices me deliuere : And of pruide, I þe pray, Þat I may þe louen as lord : And knowen for God verray. fful muchel ouhte i þe to louen : In stable treuþe and fay, Whon þou were god and art : And schalt ben euere and ay, Com in to eorþe for my loue : To take my kuynde of clay, In þe world to wynneMS. wynnes vs wele : Þou suffredest men worchen þe way. In þe world, as I seide er : In bodi, fflesch and Bon, Hunger and ffurst heddestou boþe : In hot and Cold to gon, Blod and watur þou swattest boþe : And Teres Mony on, And seþþhen for þe loue of vs : Þi deþ þen hastou tan. fful hard and deolful was þi deþ : Hose hedde hit in þouht, Whon þat þi blessede bodi : Þat neuere no sunne wrouht, Among þis false Iewes : Þi-seluen hast hit brouht, And seþþen wiþ þi blessed blod : ffrom bale þou hast us bouht. A Croune of þornes vppon þin hed : Þei setten scharp and fresch, Heo þe nayleden hondes and feet : Boþe þorwh bon and flesch; A spere þorwh þi syde stong : Þyn herte was ful nesch, Whon þe blod and watur sprong : Þat vs of synne wesch. Þerfore, Ihesu, I preye þe : Þat ful art of pite, ffor my sunnes þat ichaue don : Let me neuere dampned be; But graunte me grace in to myn herte : Ihesu in Trinite, Of stable treuþe and rihtwys werkes : Loue and Charite. fful ofte ichaue þe wraþþed : And broke þi Comaunde|ment, Wiþ al my fyue wittes : In lyf þat þou me hast lent, Vnwisliche hem dispendet : And not in good entent, Boþe þorwh myn owne wille : And oþure entisement. Bote, swete Ihesu, woltou me here : wiþ schrift ichaue þe souht: In mony werkes, as I seide ere : Vuele ichaue I|wrouht, Non of hem schal ben vnpunissched— : Þeron is al my þouht; I take me al to þi Merci : ffor loue for-ȝet me nouht. Wiþ Mylde mod and sikyng sore : I be-seche þe ffor my ffrendes, Ihesu crist : As wel as for me. On domes-dai whon þou schalt demen : Scheuh us þi face freo, And bring vs in to paradys : Þer endeles blisse schal beo. Amen. [XII. An orison to vr lady.]So the title in the Index. In the MS. the poem is written in half-lines. HEil beo þou, Marie: Mylde qwen of heuene! Blessed is þi Nome : And good hit is to nemene.r. neuene To þe i Make my mone : I prey þe, here my steuene, And let me neuere dye : In non of þe sunnes seuene. LAdi seinte Marie : Qween Corteis and hende! ffor þe Ioye þat þou were Inne : Whon god his Angel dude sende, And seide þat þe holygost : Schulde in þi bodi lende, Þou bringe me to þat blisse : Þat is wiþ-outen ende. Ioyful was þin herte, ladi : —Þerof haue I no drede— Whon Ihesu crist was boren of þe : ffeirest of alle þede, And þou were Maiden biforn : And aftur, as we rede. Marie, for þe loue of him : Help us at al vr nede. Swete ladi, þou rewe on me : And mak myn herte clene, Bring us out of sunne : Þat doþ us traye and tene; Wo hit vs byginneþ : In werkes as we han sene; Schild us from þe peynes : Þer non may oþur mene. LAdi ful of grace : Ioyful was þi chere Whon Ihesu crist from deþ vp ros : Þat was þe lef and dere. Marie, for þe loue of him : Þat lay þyn herte so nere, Bring us out of synne and serwe : While þat we aren here. LAdi ful of muche miht : Þat mylde art of mod! ffor his woundes fyue : Þat Ronnen alle on blood, ffor þe loue of swete Ihesu : Þat dyede on þe Rod, Get me heuene blisse : Ladi feir and god. LAdi seinte Marie : Corteis, feir & swete! ffor loue of þe teres : Þat for þi sone þou lete Whon þou seȝe him hongen : Nayled honden and fete, Þou sende me grace in eorþe : Mi sunnes forte bete. IN counseil art þou best : And trewest in eueri nede, To sunfol men ful prest : In saumple of good dede : ffor loue of þi deore sone : Þou seȝe on Rode blede, Þou help us nou and euere : And schild us from mis-dede. LAdi seinte Marie : So Rose in Erber rede, To þe i crie and calle : To þe I make my beode: Þou help me at myn ende : Whon I drawe to þe dede, And let me neuer falle : In bondes of þe quede. LAdi, for þe ioye : Þat þou þi-self were Inne Whon þou seȝe Ihesu crist : fflour of al mon|kinne, Steih in to his riche : Þer Ioye schal neuer blynne, Of Bale þou beo my bote : And bring me out of synne. LAdi, for þat Ioye : Þat þou to crist weore tan In to þe blisse of heuene : Wiþ Aungeles moni an, And set bi swete Ihesu crist : In ffel, in flesch and bon, Þou bringe me to þat blisse : Þat neuer schal beo gon. LAdi ful of grace : Þat heiȝe sittest in trone, Loue of alle blisse : Send þou me my bone : Ihesus to louen and drede : My lyf to amenden sone, And comen to him þat hende : Þat weldeþ Sonne and Mone. FOr þi Ioyes fyue : Ladi feir and briht, ffor þi clene Maidenhod : And for þi muchele miht, Þou ȝif me miht and grace : To come to þat liht, Þer Ioye is euere newe : And day wiþ-outen niht. LAdi seinte Marie : Ȝif þi wille ware, As þou art ful of Ioye : And I am ful of care, Schild me from synne and schome : Þat I falle no mare, And send me hosul and schrift : Ar I heþene fare.A. M. E. N. [XIII. A confessioun of wyrschip in orysoun.So the title in the Index.] God þat al hast mad of nouht, ffor loue of mon þat þou hast bouht; Wher in þe world so þat i be, Wiþ al myn herte I þonke þe: ¶ Þat þou me madest on of þyne, And bouhtest me wiþ bitter pyne. I þonke þe, lord, wiþ good entent Of wit and grace þou hast me sent. ¶ Wiþ al myn herte and mylde moode I þonke þe, lord, of alle gode. I preye þe, lord, þou graunte me miht Wiþ al myn herte to loue þe riht. ¶ I preye þe, lord, out and Inne Þat þou me schilde from dedly synne; I preye þe, lord, þat þou me wisse And bring me to þi muchele blisse. Amen. [XIV.] [Another Prayer to the Virgin Mary.] MArie Modur, Qwen of heuene, Þenk on me and here my steuene! Marie Meke and Mylde of mood, ffor loue of þat holy Rood,r. blood? orig. 2 vv. om.? . . . . . Marie, þat þou seȝe on Rode Whon þou bi þi sone stode, Marie, þat Ran out of his syde fforte falle þe fendes pryde, Marie, ȝif me knowynge of my synne, And let me neuere die þer-Inne; Marie, schild me from vueles alle, And let me neuere in fondynge falle. Marie, prei for me þi sone Þat myn herte euere on him mone, Marie, to louen him ouer alle þyng Wiþ herte trewe to myn endyng. Marie, i preye þe Meke and Mylde, ffor loue of þi swete childe, Marie, my scheld beo aȝeyn þe fende Whon I schal out of þis world wende. Marie, of myn ende is al my drede, Of my sunnes and of my misdede: Marie, forþi þou rewe on me, Þat I þorwh þe may I-saued be. Marie, Mi ffrendes, quike and dede, Þou hem wisse and þou hem rede, Marie, In to þat holy blis Þer Ihesu crist him-seluen is. Marie, at my deþ whon I schal fare Out of þis world, droupe and dare, Marie, help me þenne as on of þyne, And bring me out of serwe and pyne, Marie, in to blisse, wiþ þe to wone, ffor Ihesu loue, þi deore sone. AMEN. [XV. Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost.] GOd þat art of mihtes most, Þe seuen ȝiftus of þe holigost I preye þat þou ȝiue me, Þat I may þorwh þe grace of hem Wynne þi loue and of alle men,By another hand on erasure. And euere to qweme þe. LOrd, for þe ȝifte of pite Ȝif me grace sunne to fle, Ȝif hit beo þi wille; And þorwh þe ȝifte of drede also Euere godnesse forte do, And neuere to don ille. IN wit, louerd, wys me make, Worldus pruyde euere forsake, ffor þi woundus fyue. Ȝift of strengþe graunte þou me, Out of sunne euer to be, Whiles icham a-lyue. IN-sihte ȝif þou me also Þe to knowe, in weole and wo Wheþer þat i beo Inne. Ȝift of counseil put in me Euere for to serue þe Clene wiþ-oute synne. SEnde me wisdam, forte se Mi wrecchednesse and my frelete Now and eueri day; So þat at my lyues ende To þat Ioye þow me sende Þat lasteþ now and ay. A m e n. [XVI. A Confessioun for necligence of þe dedes of mercy.]So the Title in Index. Lord, I ȝelde me gulti Þat I neuere fedde þe hungri, Lord, as þou bede me; I ȝaf no drinke þe þhursti, Wiþ wille ne wiþ bodi: Merci, lord, I crie þe. ÞE naked, lord, I ne haue not clad To my pouwer, as þou bad, Nouþur wiþ dede ne wille; Ne sek folk ne cumforted I: Þerfore, lord, mak me sori Þat I haue don so ille. Dede bodies haue I graue non, But heold despyt of vchon Wher þat I hem sawe. In myn herborwh herborwhed I non, Pore Mon ne Pilgrym, of fflesch and bon, To folfulle þe lawe. Prisones þat harde i-bounden lay, I ne visitede hem Niht ne day: Lord, for-ȝiue hit me, And alle oþur wikkedhed, Þat I may comen aftur my ded And wonen euere, lord, wiþ þe. Amen. [XVII. An orysoun for sauynge of þe fyue wyttes.]So the Title in Index. LO[r]d, sunged haue I ofte In my fyue wittes, wiþ wille and þouȝte: In Lecherouse sihtes, Wiþ myn Eres herd wikkede sawes Of myn Euencristne a-ȝeyn þe lawes, Boþe day and nihtes. In tast haue I had gret lykyng And passed mesure In Mete and drink: Lord, for-ȝiue hit me; And þat ichaue sunged in smellyng, And also, lord, in synful felyng, Ȝif þi wille be. A M E N. [XVIII. An orisoun for negligens of þe X Comaundemens.]So the Title in Index. INwardliche, lord, bi-seche i þe, Al my trespas for-ȝiue þou me: Þat I haue broken þi Comaundemens Aȝein þi wille and þi defens. I haue not loued þe ouer alle þyng And worschiped as my lord, my kyng; Min Euencristen ne loued I nouht As my-self, in wil ne þouht. Þi nome not nempned in worschupe, Bute ofte-siþes in Idelschupe. In holi-dayes haue I wrouht, To holychurche eode I nouht. ffadur and Modur worschupet haue not I, But aȝeyn hem don vnboxumly. Men haue I slawen wiþ my wille, And Bakbited hem boþe loude and stille. Wiþ wrong ichaue had muche þing, Boþe of ȝifte and of stelyng. Boren ichaue fals witnesse And seldene i-don Rihtwysnesse. In lecherie haue I sunged ille Ofte-siþes aȝeynes skille. I-chaue coueyted more þen me hihte Mi neihȝebores god wiþ vnrihte, His wyf, his seruaunt, his oþur þing. ffor-þi, Almihti heuene-kyng, ffor-ȝif me now, and alle men Þat haue broken þi comaundemens ten. [XIX. Patris Sapiencia

So the title in Index.

 sive Horae de Cruce.]

The Latin text is ed. in Daniel Thes. Hymnolog. I. p. 337. In the MS. the Engl. poem is written in half-lines.

PAtris sapiencia, veritas diuina deus homo factus est hora matutina, A notis discipulis cito derelictus, A Iudeis traditus, venditus, afflictus.

v. Adoramus te, criste, & benedicimus tibi, Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

[Oremus] D[omi]ne Ihesu criste, fili dei viui, qui pro nobis reis passionem in cruce ad mortem pie sustulisti, ob nostram vitam redimendam: In iudicio futuro animabus nostris & in hora mortis nostre succurrere digneris; prestando viuis misericordiam & graciam, defunctis veniam & requiem, ecclesie pacem et con|cordiam, & peccatoribus vitam & gloriam sempiter|nam. Qui uivis & regnas deus þer omnia secula seculorum. amen.

Erliche in þe morwenyng : Ihesu þe Iewes gunne take, His frendes and his diciples : Hedden him sone forsake; Þei blyndfelden him and Boffeteden : And al niht heold him wake: And al soffrede swete Ihesu : ffor monkunne sake Þat sorwe. How may I for-ȝete Ihesu : At Euen or at Mor[w]e? v[ers.] Crist, honoured mote þou be, Þat bouhtest al þe world on tre! or[emus.] Lord Ihesu, godus sone : Þat synful mon wolt not tyne, Bi-twenen vr soules and þi dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne: Þi Cros, þi Deþ now and euere : And at vre endyng-tyme Graunte liuynde men : Grace and Merci þyne; To dede, reste and pardoun; To Churche, pes, loue in londe; : To sunful, contricioun. v[ers.] Cristes passion, heuene kyng, Bring us to blisse þat is wiþ-outen endyng. HOra prima ductus est Ihesus ad pilatum, ffalsis testimoniis tradunt accusatum, In Collo percuciunt manibus ligatum, Vultum dei conspuunt, lumen deo gratum.

v. Adoramus te, criste, & benedicimus tibi, Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

At prime crist þe Iewes : Bi-fore Pilat gunne drawe, ffalslich þei him a-cuiseden : Wiþ mony a wikked sawe; Þei spitteden in his feire face : Þe men wiþ-outen lawe, Ne wolde þei neuere blinne : Til þei hedde him slawe. Ihesu, my dere lemmon, Blo for-bled was þi bodi : Þi brihte Rode was al won. v. Crist, honoured mote þou beo, Þat bouȝtest al þe world on treo. or. Lord Ihesu, godes sone : Þat sunful mon wolt not tyne, Bi-twenen vr soules and þi dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne: Þi Cros, þi deþ nou and euere : And at vre endyng-tyme Graunte liuinde men : Grace and merci þyne; To dede, reste and pardoun; To Churche, pes, loue in londe : To sunful, contricioun. v. Cristes passion, heuene kyng, Bring us to blisse þat is wiþ-outen endyng. "Crucifige" clamitant hora terciarum; Illusus induitur veste purpurarum, Capud eius pungitur corona spinarum, Crucem portat humeris ad loca penarum.

v. Adoramus te, criste, & benedicimus tibi, Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

At vndurne to do Ihesu on cros : loude gunne þei crie, And beoten him naked wiþ scourges : Whil þei mihte drie, And crouned him wiþ þornes : Þe blod ron in to his eiȝe; And siþen maden him bere þe cros : To þe Mount of Caluarie On his bac for-bete. ffor drede of deþ men mihte seo : Þe blod þat he gon swete. v. Crist, honoured mote þou be, Þat bouȝtest al þe world on tre. or. Lord Ihesu, godus sone : Þat sunful mon wolt not tyne, Bitwenen vre soules and þy dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne: Þi Cros, þi deþ now and euere : And at vre endynge-tyme Graunte lyuinde men : Grace and Merci þyne, To þe dede, reste and pardoun; To churche, pes, loue in londe : To sunful, contricioun. v. Cristes passion, heuene kyng, Bring us to blisse þat is wiþ-outen endyng. HOra sexta cristus est cruci conclauatus Et est cum latronibus pendens deputatus, Pre tormentis siciens felle saturatus; Agnus crimen diluit sic deificatus.

v. Adoramus te, criste, & benedicimus tibi, Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

At Midday Ihesu hondes : Þei nayleden to þe Rode, Bi-twene twey þeues : Þei him hengen as wode; Þei ȝeuen him galle and Eysel : Ihesu þat blisful fode. Serewful were boþe Marie an Ion : Þer þei bi him stode, As folk þat were mad. Whose þenkeþ on Marie serwe : May he neuere be glad. v. Crist, honoured mote þou beo, Þat bouhtest al þe world on treo. or. Lord Ihesu, godes sone : Þat sunful mon wolt not tyne, Bi-twenen vr soules and þi dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne; Þi cros, þi deþ nou and euere : And at vr endyng-tyme Graunte liuinde men : Grace and Merci þyne, To þe dede, reste and pardoun; To churche, pes, loue in londe : To sunful, contricioun. v. Cristes passion, heuene kyng, Bring us to blisse þat is wiþ-outen endyng. HOra Nona dominus cristus expirauit, "Heli" clamans spiritum patri comendauit, Latus eius lancea myles perforauit. Terra tunc contremuit, & sol obscurauit.

v. Adoramus te, criste, & benedicimus tibi, Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

At Non þer þurlede Ihesus herte : Longius, a Blynd kniht; He wupte his Eiȝen wiþ his blod : Þorwh þat he hedde his siht. Þe eorþe quok, þe stones clouen : Þe sonne les his liht, Þe dede a-risen of heore graues : In tokene of godus miht Þat us on Rode bouhte. Þe soules þat weren in helle : Ihesus sone out brouhte. v. Crist, honoured mote þou be, Þat bouȝtest al þe world on tre. or. Lord Ihesu, godus sone : Þat sunful mon wolt not tyne, Bi-twene vr soules and þy dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne: Þi cros, þi deþ nou and euere : And at vr endyng-tyme Graunte liuynde men : Grace and Merci þyne; To þe dede, reste and pardoun; To churche, pes, loue in londe : ToMS. Wiþ sunful, contricioun. v. Cristes passion, heuene kyng, Bring us to blisse þat is wiþ-outen endyng. DE Cruce deponitur hora vespertina, ffortitudo latuit inMS. & mente diuina. Talem mortem subijt vite Medicina! Heu, Corona glorie iacuit sub spyna.

v. Adoramus te, criste, & benedicimus tibi, Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

At Euensong Ihesus was taken : Doun of Rode-treo. Marie bi-heold hire deore sone : ffor wepyng miht heo not seo; "A, sone," heo seide, "wiþ þe fader : of heuene is þi pouste, But þou schalt rise from deþ to lyue : As þou er seidest me, Boþe God and Mon; ÞorwhMS. Wher þorwh þat deþ is blisse ibouȝt : Þat loren was þorwh Sathan." v. Crist, honoured mote þou beo, Þat bouhtest al þe world on treo. or. Lord Ihesu, godus sone : Þat sunful mon wolt not tyne, Bi-twene vr soules and þi dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne: Þi Cros, þi deþ now and euere : And at vre endyng-tyme Graunte liuinde men : Grace and Merci þyne, To dede, reste and pardoun; To churche, pes, loue in londe : To sunful, Contrissioun. v. Cristes passion, heuene kyng, Bring us to blisse þat is wiþ-outen endyng. HOra completorij datur sepulture Corpus cristi nobile, spes vite future; Conditur Aromate—complentur scripture. Iugis sit memoria mortis sue iure.

v. Adoramus te, criste, et benedicimus tibi, Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

At Complin Crist was enoynt : And buried in a ston. Pilat bad his frendes : Þer scholde leue non; He sette knihtes him to kepen : Þat he a-wey nere don: And ȝut he ros to lyue : ffor hem euerichon Of þo, And schewede him to þeoverlined. Maudeleyn : To peter and mony mo. v. Crist, honoured mote þou beo, Þat bouhtest al þe world on treo. Lord Ihesu, Godus sone : Þat synful mon wolt not tyne, Bi-twenen vr soules and þy dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne: Þi Cros, þi deþ nou and euere : And at vr endyng|tyme Graunte liuinde men : Grace and Merci þyne, To dede, reste and pardoun; To Churche, pes, loue in londe : To synful, Con|tricioun. v. Cristes passion, heuene kyng, Bring us to blisse þat is wiþ-outen endyng. Amen.— ÞE Pope Ion haþ graunted : A ful feir pardoun To alle þat siggen þis Matyns : Wiþ good deuo|cioun: A ȝer in purgatorie : Of Remissioun, So þat heo ben clene i-schriuen : Wiþ verrey Con|tricioun, Þorwh Grace. God sende us lyues fode : And in heuene a place. AMEN. [Another poem on the same subject, in MS. Miscell. Lit. 104]

Another poem on the same subject, in MS. Miscell. Lit. 104, Bodl., fol. 50 (temp. Edw. III. or II.), has been edited by Morris, Leg. of the Holy Rood, p. 222. It is this, as given by Morris:

Hic incipiunt matutine de passione domini nostri ihesu cristi.

Antiphona: Patris sapiencia ueritas diuina, &c.

Vers. Adoramus te criste &c.

Or. Domine ihesu criste fili dei uiui pone passionem crucem et mortem tuam &c. Amen.

In the be|ginning a stanza must be wanting.Swete ihesu cryst, goddis sone of lyue, Þin passion, þin croys, þin ded, þin wondes five Beelde us (!) houre sinful soules inM. & þin iugement, Nou and in tyme of ded þat we ne be y-schent. [D]eyne to ȝeue myt an grace to hem þat moten lyuen, And to dedeM. dare reste, here sinnes þou for-yyue; To holi chirche and kyndom loue and pes þou sende, And to vs wreche sinful, lif wyt-outen ende; Þat leuest kyng god and man wyt-outen endingge, ffader and sone and holy gost to þulke bl[i]se us bringge.

Ad primam horam.

HOra prima dominum ducunt ad pilatum &c.

v. Adoramus te &c. or. Domine ihesu criste.

At prime ihesus was y-lad pilatus by-fore, Many false witnesse on hym were i-bore, Hiis schines were y-beten, hiis honden weren y-bonden, Hiis face hy gonne on spete—lyt of heuene þey fonde.

Ad terciam horam, amen [leaf wanting]

Crucifige clamitant hora terciarum

v. Adoramus. or. Domine ihesu criste.

At hondren "do ihesu on rodeM. day on wde" þe giwes gonne grede, In schorn he was i-wonden in purpil-palle wede. . . . . . On his schulder he bar þe crois to þe piningge.

Sicut oculi ancille in manibus domine sue [&c.]

Hora sexta ihesus est cruce conclauatus

v. Adoramus te. or. Domine ihesu criste filij.

At midday was ihesus crist y-nailed to þe rode Bi-twixe tweye þeues he hongid for houre gode. ffor þurst of stronge pine y-fuld he was wy[t] galle. Þe holi lombM. Ve holi louird so god y-wrout þer buiȝt houre sinnes alle.

Deus in adiutorium.

Hora nona dominus ihesus expirauit.

v. Adoramus. or. Domine ihesu criste filij.

At none houre louerd crist of þysse lif he wende, He gradde "hely," þe holi gost to his fader he sende. A knyt wit a kene spere þerlede his syde. Þe herþe quakede, þe sonne bi-com swart, þat erer schon wel wide.

Deus in adiutorium.

De cruce deponitur hora uespertina

v. Adoramus. or. Domine ihesu criste filij.

At euensong he was i-nome a-doun þat dere us hadde ibouȝt, His mytte, hisMS. hys his stre[n]gþe lotede in heiȝe holi þout. Swech deþ he under-feng, hele of alle wo. Alas þe croune of worschepe to lowe hy leide þo.

Conuerte nos deus salutaris noster.

Hora completorii datur sepulture

v. Adoramus. or. Domine ihesu criste.

He was y-ȝeue to beryyng ate laste tyde, Cristes body noble, hope of liue to byde, In-oynt he was wyt aromat, holi writ to fulle. Ȝoruful meynde of his deþ bee in myne wille. Amen. [XX. Veni Creator Spiritus,So the Title in Index. englisht.] Veni, creator spiritus, mentes tuorum visita, imple superna gracia que tu creasti pectora. Cum, lord vr makere, Holigost, Þe þouhtes of þyne forte sene; Þe hertes þat þou þi schaftus wost, fful hem of þi grace by-dene. Qui paraclitus diceris, donum dei Altissimi, fons viuus, ignis, caritas, et spiritalis vnccio. Clept art þou cumfort, and euer schalt be,This v. in MS. written in half lines. And ȝift of god þat al good sent, Quik welle, ffuir, and Charite, And also gostly Oynement. Tv septiformis munere, dextre dei tu digitus; Tu rite promissum patris, Sermone ditans guttura. Þou art in ȝifte seuenfold, Godus riht hond ffinger art þou; As us bi-het ffader al-wold, Richesse of wordMS. world þou ȝiuest inouh. Accende lumen sensibus, Infunde amorem cordibus, infirma nostri corporis uirtute firmans perpeti. Lord, in vrMS. þi wittes tend þi liht, And in vr hertes þi loue sende; Vr bodi feblenesse þorwh þi miht Strengþe hit euere wiþ-outen ende. Hostem repellas longius, pacemque dones protinus; ductore sic te preuio uitemus omne noxium. Put fer from us þe fend, ur fo, And send us soþfast pees anon, Þat we þorwh þe þat laft (!) us so Blenchen sunnes euerichon. PEr te sciamus, da, patrem, noscamus atque filium, te utriusque spiritum credamus omni tempore. Of þe ffadur ȝif us witing, And of þe Sone knowyng also, Siker be-leeue and riht tokenyng Þat þou art god of boþe two. Dvdum sacrata pectora tua replesti gracia: dimitte nunc peccamina et da quieta tempora. Holi hertes sum-tyme was Þou fuldest, lord, þorwh grace þyne: ffor-ȝif now gultus and trespas, And ȝif us reste in alle tyme. Sit laus patri cum filio, Sauncto simul paraclito, nobisque mittat filius carisma sauncti spiritus. Amen. ffader and Sone and Holigost be WorschipedMS. Worschipest as þei mowe beo most, And send us schrift for his pite, Þe ȝiftus of þe holygost. Amen. [XXI. The Sweetness of Jesus.] Same poem in MS. Lamb. 853, ed. by Furnivall, Hymns to the Virgin and Christ, p. 8, E. E. T. S. 1867; in MS. Thornton (best MS.), ed. by Perry, Rel. Pieces, 1867, N. 8; and in MS. Rawl., A. 389, 104. The poem was originally composed in the North.Ihesu, þi swetnesse whose miht hit se And þer-of haue a cleneal. clere knowyng, Al eorþly loue bitter schulde be But þin al-one, wiþ-outen lesyng. I preye þe, lord, þat lore lere me: Aftur þi loue to haue longyng, And sadly set myn herte on þe, In þi loue to haue most lykyng. SO lykyng loue In eorþe non is, In soule whos couþe him soþly se; Him to loue were muche blis, ffor kyng of loue called is he. Wiþ trewe loue I wolde i-wis So faste to him bounden be, Þat myn herte weore holly his, Þat no þing lykede me but he. ȜIf I for kyndenes schulde loue mi kinne, Þenne me þinkeþ in my þouht Bi kuynde skil I schulde bi-ginne At him þat haþ me maad of nouht: His semblaunt he sette my soule wiþ-Inne, And al þis world for me he wrouht; As ffader he fondeþr. fonded my loue to winne, ffor to heuene he haþ me bouht. AS Modur of him I make mynde, Þat bi-foren my burþe to me tok hede, And siþen wiþ Baptym wesche þat kyndeP. strynde Þat suyled was þorwh Adam dede; Wiþ noble mete he norsched my kynde, ffor wiþ his flesch he dude me fede— So good a foode may no mon fynde, To lastyng lyf heal. it wol us lede. MI Broþur and Suster he is wiþ skyl,This v. written in half lines. ffor he seide and leret þat lore: Hose wrouhte his fadur wil Broþur and Suster to him þei wore; Mi kuynde he tok also þer-til. fful trewely trust I him þerfore. Heal. þat he þat wol neuere lete me spil, Wiþal. But wiþ his Merci salue my sore. This stanza om. in P.ÞE loue of him passeþ, i-wis, Al eorþly loue þat may beo here: God and Mon, my spouse he is— Wel ouhte I wrecche to loue him dere! Boþe heuene and eorþe holliche is his, He is a lord of gret powere, And called he is þe kyng of blis— His loue me longeþ for to lere. Afftur his loue bi-houeþP. me burde me longe, ffor he haþ myn ful dere abouht: Whon I was went from him wiþ wronge, ffrom heuene to eorþe he me souht, Mi wrecched kuynde for me he fonge And his nobley sette at nouht, Peynes he soffrede and pouert stronge, Aȝeyn to blisse or he me brouht. Whon I was þral, to make me fre Mi loue from heuene to erþe him ledde; Mi loue al-one haue wolde he, Þerfore he leyde his lyf in wedde. Wiþ my fo he fauht for me, Woundet he was and bitterly bledde, His precious blod ful gret plente fful piteuously for me was schedde. HIs sydes blo and blodi were, Þat sum-tyme were ful briht of ble; His herte was perced wiþ a spere; His wyde woundes were reuþe to se. Mi Raunsoun, I-wis, he payed þere And ȝaf his lyf for gult of me. His deþ most beo to me ful dereP. His dulefull dede burde do me dere And perce myn herte for pure pite. FOr pite myn herte most breke a-two, To his kyndenesse ȝif I tok hede: Enchesun I was of al his wo, He suffrede ful harde for my misdede; To lastinde lyf þat I schulde go, He suffrede deþ in his Monhede. Whon his wille was to lyue also, He ros a-ȝeyn þorwh his godhede. TO heuene he wente wiþ muche blis, Whon he [had] vencust his batayle. His baner ful brode displayed is, Whon so my fo wol me assayle. Wel ouhte myn herte [þen] to ben his, ffor he is þat frend þat neuer wol fayle; No þing wol he haue, i-wis, But trewe loue for his trauayle. Þus wolde heal. my spouse for me fiht, And for me was he woundet sore; ffor my loue his deþ was diht— What kyndenesses miht he do more? To ȝelden his loue haue I no miht, But loue him trewely I schulde þerfore, And worche welP. his will wiþ werkes riht Þat he haþ lered wiþ louely lore. HIs louely lore wiþ werkal. werkes folfille Wel ouht I, wrecche, ȝif I were kynde, Niht and day to worche his wille, And euermore haue þat lord in mynde. Bote gostly fos greuen me ille, And my frelete[s]al. frele flesch maken me blynde: Þerfore his merci I take me tille, ffor beter bote con I non fynde. Beter bote nis non to me Þen to his merci trewely me take, Þat wiþ his flesch haþ mad me fre And me wrecche his child wolde make. I preye þat lord for his pite, Þat he for sunne neuer me forsake, But ȝif me grace from synne to fle, And him to loue let me neuer slake. Ihesu, for þe swetnesse þat is in þis, Haue Mynde of me whon I henne wende; Wiþ studefast trouþe my wittes wis, And, lord, þou schilde me from þe fende; ffor þi Merci forȝif me mi mis, Þat wikkede werk my soule ne schende; And led me, lord, in to þi blis, Wiþ þe to wone wiþ-outen ende. Amen. [XXII. A Prayer to Jesus.] IEsu, þat art heuene kyng, Sothfast God and mon also, Ȝif me grace of good endyng, And hem þat I am holden to. Ihesu lord, þat madest me, And wiþ þi blisful blod hast bouht, ffor-ȝif þat I haue greued þe Wiþ word and wille and wiþ þouht. Ihesu, in whom is al mi trust, Þat diȝedest on þe Rode-tre, Wiþ-drauh myn herte from flesches lust And from worldly vanite. Ihesu crist, to þe i calle Þat art ffadur ful of miht, Kep me clene, þat I ne falle In flescly sunne as I haue hiht. Ihesu, for þi blisful blod Bring þe soules in to blis fforr. ffro whom I haue had eny god, ffor-ȝiue hem þat þei han don amis. Ihesu, for þat worþi wounde Þat wente to þin herte-Rote, fforr. ffro sunne þat haþ my soule bounde Þi blisful blod mot beo my bote. Ihesu, for þi woundes smerte Of feet and of þin hondes two, Mak me Meke and louh of herte, And þe to loue as I scholde do. Ihesu, for þe deolful teres Þat þou weptust for my gilt, Heere and spede my pore preyeres, And saue me þat I ne beo spilt! [XXIII. Psalterium b. Mariae. BY ALBERTUS MAGNUS.] (With the first Verse of every Psalm and Canticle.)

Title in Index: Of euery psalme of þe sauter þe furste vers. The Latin Quatrains, however, frequently refer to other verses of the psalm, or to other parts of the Bible quoted by the com|mentators as illustrative of the psalm. The Latin poem is mentioned in Mone, Latein. Hymnen des Mittelalters, 1854, II. p. 252, but still unprinted; other MSS. are at Darmstadt (No. 2242) and Munich (Tegernsee 2005).

Beatus vir qui non abijt in co[n]silio impiorum et in uia peccatorum non stetit et in cathedra pestilencie non sedit.Beginning of Ps. 1.

AVe uirgo uirginum, parens absque pari, Sine viri semine digna fecundari: ffac nos legem domini crebro meditarirefers to Ps. 1, v. 2. Et in regni gloria beatificari. Heyl Mayden ouer Maydenes vchon, Modur wiþ-outen pere, Wiþ-outen knowyng of Mon A worþi chyld þow beere: Mak vs vr lordus lawes kepe And ofte to haue in mende, In to kyngdom of Ioye to lepe, Beo blessed wiþ-outen ende.

Quare fremuerunt gentes, et populi meditati sunt inania?Ps. 2.

Aue, cuius viscera natum ediderunt Cuius ad interitum gentes fremuerunt: Audi uoces supplicum qui te pie querunt, Mali causas remouens que nos inuenerunt. Heil þe entrayles o whom Brouhten forþ a sone At whos deþ boþe alle and som ffolk grucche bi-gone: Heorer. here deuoute voices al-way Þat sechen þe here in grounde; Euel causes remoue a-way Þat vs here han I-founde.

Domine, quid multiplicati sunt qui tribulant me? multi insurgunt aduersum me.Ps. 3.

Aue virgo, speculum sauncti celibatus, Cuius est ex utero puer nobis natus Qui compassus mortuo, morte soporatusrefers to Ps. 3, v. 5. Morte mortem terminat, expiat reatus. Heil, Mayden and Mirour Of holy heuenly lyuyng, Of whos wombe wiþ honour Is boren a child, vr kyng, Þat hedde compassion of þe ded, Wiþ his dedliche slepyng Wiþ deþ [deþ]om. he termyned, Vr gult awey wassching.

Cum inuocarem exaudiuit me deus iusticie mee, in tribulacione dilatasti michi.Ps. 4.

Ave nati filia, parens genitoris, Preter modumMS. mortem generans consucti moris: Nos ad statum reuoca vite melioris, Quos tam diu tenuit vanitas erroris.refers to Ps. 4, v. 2. Heil douhtur of þe sone, Modur of þe getere, Hauyng child aȝeynes old wone Oþur elles comuyn manere: Calle us aȝeyn in to þat staat Þat is of better lyuyng, ffor us haþ holden longe al maat Vanyte of erryng.

Verba mea auribus percipe, domine; intellige cla|morem meum.Ps. 5.

Aue queMS. qui nos redimens ab Egipti luto SubvenireMS. subvenite satagis vicijs imbuto: Tu nos bener. bone protegens voluntatis scutorefers to Ps. 5, v. 11. Coronatos gloria colloces in tuto. Heil þou, buggyng us aȝeyn Out of Egyptes cley, In vices wounden to helpe, certeyn, Þou art redi al-wey: Þou defendyng us wel riht Wiþ þe scheld of wil, Vs Corouned in blisse briht Set sikerly wiþ skil.

Domine, ne in furore tuo arguas me, neque in ira tua corripias me.Ps. 6.

Aue vite ianua, salus penitentis, Respice miseriam anime languentis; Ne in ira senciam uocem arguentis, Me peccatis exime simul et tormentis. Heil, louelich ȝate of lyf, Hele of þe forþinkyng: Bi-hold þe wrecchednesse so rif Of soule þat is serwyng; Þat in wraþþe I ne feel Þe vois of repreyuing,MS. repreyning Clanse me from sunnes eueridel And eke from tormentyng.

Domine deus meus, in te speraui; saluum me fac ex omnibus persequentibus me, & libera me.Ps. 7.

Aue mater vnica, cura nostre spei, Tuis queso meritis sis miserta mei, Vt ab enigmatibus huius speciei Plena plene perfruarMS. perfruat visione dei. Heil Modur, þou onliche Hed art of vr hope: Þorw þi merites specialiche Haue merci on me mope, Þat from alle þe liknesse Of þis lyuyng heer I may haue wiþ fulnesse Þe siht of god so cler.

Domine deusMS. dominus noster, quam admirabile est nomen tuum in vniuersa terra!Ps. 8.

Aue virgo regia, summa gaudiorum, Per quam rex mirabilis, dominus cun[c]torum, Reuocat inmeritos in spem filiorum, Quos proscribit multiplex causa uiciorum. Heil kynges Mayden, swete þing, Somme of ioyes I calle, Bi whom þe wondurful kyng, Lord þat is ouer alle, Calleþ us a-ȝeyn wiþ-oute deseruyng In to his sones hope, Þat aren ofte put in to flemyng, In vices whon we ben crope.

Confitebor tibi, domine, in toto corde meo, narrabo omnia mirabilia tua.Ps. 9.

Aue thronus gracie, Mater Ihesu cristi, Que sola concipere virgo meruisti: Confitebor domino quem sic genuisti, Quod nec nomen virginis mater amisisti. Heil feir trone of grace, Modur of Ihesu crist, Þat to conceyue in þi space Onliche Mayden deseruedist: I schal knowleche to þat lord Þat þou so dust= dudest bi-gete, Þat þou þe name in dede ne word Of Mayden and Moder ne lete.

IN domino confido; quomodo dicitis anime mee,Ps. 10 V (11). transmigra in montem sicut passer?

Aue virgo virginum, per quam transmigratur Super vnum moncium in quo victimatur Vepre tentus aries,cf. Gen. 22, v. 13. vnde redimatur Prodigus qui rediens veniam precatur. Heil Mayden ouer oþur met, Beo whom is mad passyng Vppon on of hulles gret In whuch is don offring, Þe weþer holden wiþ a Brer, Whuche was a-ȝeyn biggyng Of þe wastour þat was in wer, fforȝiuenes þat com askyng.

Saluum me fac domine, quoniam defecit sanctus,Ps. 11 (12). quoniam diminute sunt veritates a filiis hominum.

Aue mater domini, mater inquam aue, ffac ut cristi baiulem iugum presuaue, Quo beatitudinis particeps octauerefers to the title of the psalm. Liberari merear prime matris aue. Heil Modur of vr lord, Ȝit I sey Modur heil! Cristes ȝok in dede and word To bere mak me not fayl; Þat I of þe eiȝteþe blisse Beo parciner me borwe, To beo diliuered and euer misse Vr furste modur sorwe.

Vsquequo, domine, obliuisceris me in finem? vsquequo auertis faciem tuam a me?Ps. 12 (13).

Aue uirgo nomine matris insignita, Graciarum fertili doteMS. doce premunita: Purga mentis aciem, quo sit expedita, Ne vmquam obdormiat in morte sopita.refers to Ps. 12, v. 4. Heil Mayden feir of face, Worschiped wiþ nome of Moder; So plentiuous I-douwed wiþ grace Was þer neuer non oþer: Purge þe scharpnesse of vr þouht, So þat hit beo sped, And þat hit to longe ne slepe nouht In slep of sunful ded.

DIxit insipiens in corde suo: non est deus.Ps. 13 (14).

Aue templum gracie, templum sanctitatis, Templum sancti spiritus, tronus maiestatis: Salua me, per graciam salua queso gratis, Vt sortiri ualeam regnum cum beatis. Heil temple of grace most, Temple of Sauntite, Temple of þe holygost, Trone of þe Maieste: Saue me, be grace me saue, I preye þe nou, freliche, Þat I mowe þe kyngdom haue Wiþ seintes þat ben godliche.

Domine, quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo? aut quis requiesset in monte sancto tuo?Ps. 14 (15).

Aue tabernaculum regis manu fortis, Per quam cristus particeps factus nostre sortis, ffractis seris,r. eris v. uectibus & inferni portis Nos a morte reuocat, triumphator mortis. Heil tabernacle Cleer Of kyng strong in honde, Beo whom crist is maad parciner Of vre lot her in londe, Þat brak þe bondes and þe loke Of helle foule ȝates, Called us fro deþ þer we weore stoke, Victor of deþ algates.

Conserua me domine, quoniam speraui in te. d[ixi] domino: deus meus es tu, quoniam b[onorum] meorum non eges.Ps. 15 (16).

Aue tronus gracie Regi preparatus, Ex qua nobis prodiit felix aduocatus: Nostra sit hereditas cristus ex te natuscf. Ps. 15, v. 5. Conseruetque seruulos, condonans reatus. Heil, of grace þou art trone Arayed for a kyng, Of whom sprong forþ for us vchone An Auoket lyking: Crist nou beo vr heritage, Þat of þe is boren, And kepe his seruauns in alle age, Þat þei beo not for-loren.

Exaudi, domine, iusticiam meam, intende depreca|cionem meam.Ps. 16 (17).

Aue solis ciuitas, in quam introiuit Rex regum et dominus, qui te concupiuit: Per te nos exaudiat sibi quos vniuit, Suo vultu sacians quibus esuriuit.cf. Ps. 16, v. 15. Heil of Sonne þe Cite, In to whuche heMS. þou entrid Kyng of kynges, lord of pite, þe whuche þe coueyted. Beo þe now he us here, Þulke þat he haþ oned; And þat he fulle hem wiþ his chere Þat he þrustyng be-mened.

DIligam te, domine fortitudo mea: dominus firma|mentum meum & refugium meum & liberator meus.Ps. 17 (18).

Aue virgo virginum, de qua mediator Ad nos venit, hostium vetus triumphator: Hostes nostros conterat fortis expugnator Et fiat per graciam glorie collator. Heil of Maydenes Mayden clene, Of whom a Mene of diuis= device Com to vs wiþ-outen wene, Victor of olde Enemys: Vr Enemys he al to-tere, ffihtere þat is so strong, And beo grace beo he ȝiuere Of Ioye þat lasteþ long.

Celi enarrant gloriam dei, et opera manuum eius annunciat firmamentum.Ps. 18 (19).

Aue solis regia, de qua verus exit Veri solis radius, fraudes qui detexit Hostis & versucias quibus nos illexit; Ouem querens perditam, gregi quam reuexit. Heil kynges sone (!) briht, Of whom goþ forþ vche while Þe verrey sonnes bem liht, Þat huydeþ al þe gyle Of vr fon, and queyntises most, Þat drawen vs in to veyn; Seching þe scheep þat was lost To bringe to folde a-ȝeyn.

Exaudiat te dominus in die tribulacionis, protegat te nomen dei Iacob.Ps. 19 (20).

Aue plena gracie, speciosa tota, Virgo prudens, humilis, sine sordis nota: Nostrum sacrificium suscipe deuota,cf. Ps. 19, v. 3. Mores nostros ordinans, affectus & uota. Heil ful of grace, eke Speciouse at al, Mayden wys and þerto Meke, Wiþ-outen fulþe gret or smal: In alle maner vrMS. of vr sacrifice Deuouteliche take þou now, Ordeyne vr Maners on þi wyse, Desires and eke a-vow.

Domine, in uirtute tua letabitur rex, & super salutare tuum exultabit uehementer.Ps. 20 (21).

Aue salus hominum, digna salutari, Salutare pariens, sola carens pari: Nostra spes & gloria sit in salutari,cf. Ps. 20, v. 5. C[u]ius participio credimus beari. Heil hele of monkynde, Worþiful to beo gret, Þou bar hele vs alle helynde, Sauncȝ pere þou art set. Al vr hope and eke vr blis In hele beo vs be-tid; Þerof to haue part wiþ-outen mis We leeue to beo blessed.

Deus deus meus, respice me: quare me dereliquisti? longe a salute mea verba delictorum meorum.Ps. 21 (22).

Aue cuius vterus vermem procreauit Qui sub-mordens hederam Ione desiccauit;cf. Ps. 21, v. 6, and Jon. 4, 6-7. Dum quod legis littera clausum conseruauit, In apertum proferens nobis propalauit. Heil whos wombe sikerly Brouht forþ a worm þat dred,r. died? Þat vnder-bityng priuely Þe Iuy of Ione dried; Whon þe lettre of þe laue Þat al þing in clos keped, Aperteliche wiþ open sawe To vs forsoþe he schewed.

Dominus regit me & nichil michi deerit: in loco pascue ibi me collocauit.Ps. 22 (23).

Aue Iesse virgula graciarum donis Habundanter predita : tu correccionis Virga sis, & baculus consolacionis,cf. Ps. 22, v. 4. Quo nos criste pascuis collocet in bonis. Heil þou ȝerde of Iesse, Wiþ giftus of grace Maad riche wiþ plente; Of correccioun in vche place Þou art staf, and eke ȝerde Of consolacioun, Þorwh whuche crist, þat is nouȝt ferde, Vs sette in pasture boun.

Domini est terra & plenitudo eius, orbis terrarum & vniuersi qui habitant in eo.Ps. 23 (24).

Aue terra glorie, terra non arrata, Rore tamen gracie plene fecundata, ffructum ferens cuius est gustu recreata Proles Ade veteris, diu captiuata. Heil lond of blis, Eorþe nouht hered, Wiþ þe deuh of grace i-wis ffulliche for euer wered, Beryng fruit of whos sauour Reformed was verreyliche Olde Adames sone, þe furste synnour, Þat holden was wrecchedliche.

Ad te, domine, leuaui animam meam; deus meus, in te confido, non erubescam.Ps. 24 (25).

Aue cuius gloriam boant vniuersi, Per quam sursum redeunt in profundum mersi:MS. merci Per te fiat, domina, ne semel conuersi Redeant ad uomitum sibimet aduersi. Heil on whos blisse certeyn Alle crien and ben not feynt, Be whuche gon vp a-ȝeyn In depnesse þat weoren dreynt: Þorwh þe, ladi of delyt, Heo þat ben conuerted ones Torn þenne a-ȝein not to vomyt, As hound þat haþ eten bones.

Iudica me domine, quoniam ego in innocencia mea in|gressus sum: & in domino sperans non infirmabor.Ps. 25 (26).

Aue Mater, populi prospice defectum, Et maternum filijs exibens affectum Mores nostros ordina, tollens inperfectum, Vt pes noster tendere qeat in directum.cf. Ps. 25, v. 12. Heil Modur, bi-hold þou Defautes of þe peple, Modres affeccion schewh þou now Þi sones þat ben feble; Ordeyn þou vr maners so, Weyuyng inparfyt þing, Þat vr fot mowe þen go Streiht forþ wiþ-outen lettyng.

Dominus illuminacio mea & salus mea: quem timebo?Ps. 26 (27).

Aue mater domini suos protegentis, Qui cateruas hominum fregit in trecentis:MS. increcentis. cf. Ps. 26, v. 3, et Jud. 7, 6-14 (application made to Gideon). Queso nos respicias oculis attentis, Procul pellens tenebras erumpnose mentis. Heil modur of þat lord al on Þat his men doþ defende, Þat wiþ þre hundred ouercom Gret cumpaignies and schende: I preye þe, ladi, vs bi-holde Wiþ þyn eȝen clere, Derknesses fer fro us folde And kepe vr þouhtes here.

Ad te domine clamabo, deus meus ne sileas a me: ne quando taceas a me & as [similabor] d[escen|dentibus] in lacum.Ps. 27 (28).

Aue virgo domini mater illibata, Cuius est ex utero caro deodata, Caro carnem liberans, caro mori nata, Caro que refloruit morte triumphata.cf. Ps. 27, v. 7. Heil Mayden of a lord, Modur saunȝ tecche I-þriue, Of whos wombe þorwh Godus word fflesch to god was ȝiue; Þat flesch dilyuered flessche, Þat flesch boren was to dye, Þat flesch refloured þat was nessche, Of deþ þat hedde Maystrie.

Afferte domino filij dei, Afferte domino filios arietum.Ps. 28 (29).

Aue per quam filius fratres adoptauit, Quos & dei filios recte nominauit. Eant ergo filij quos ad se vocauit, Agnos Innocencie ferant quos mandauit. Heil be whom godus sone, i-wis, Breþeren him wolde purchase, To beo clept godus sones of blis Be rihte In vche place. Goþ nou sones deuoutelye Þat he haþ called him to, Offreþ þe lombes of Innocensye, ffor he comaundet so.

Exaltabo te domine, quoniam suscepisti me, nec de|lectastiPs. 29 (30).MS. dilatasti inimicos meos super me.

Aue tabernaculum cristo dedicatum, Supra Matres optinens sola principatum, Nostris aptans usibus saccum veteratumcf. Ps. 29, v. 12, Gen. 37, 31. Propter nostra vulnera gratis vulneratum. Heil tabernacle of crist Halewed worþily, Of alle Modrus i-wist To haue þe pris only: Mak us rediMS. gredi, r. greiþe? to vr vs Þe olde sacke verreyly Þat for ur woundes as refus Was wounded wilfully.

IN te domine speraui, non confundar in eternum:Ps. 30 (31). in Iusticia tua libera me.

Aue nostrum gaudium, nostra fortitudo, Cuius est dulcedinis magna multitudo: In te nostra sit sita spei certitudo, Cuius piis laudibus libere desudo. Heil vr Ioye of worþinesse, And vr strengþe þerto, Whos noble swetnesse Is muchel and gret also: In þe beo myn hope i-set Sadly, in certeyn, ffor in þin heriing nou I swet ffreoliche and nouȝt in veyn.

Beati quorum remisse sunt iniquitates, et quorum tecta sunt peccata.Ps. 31 (32).

Aue cuius utero deus est deorum ffactus homo, tollere spinas delictorum. O beatus vterus, & beati quorum ffecit se participem factor seculorum! Heil of whos wombe verrey God is of goddus alle I-maad mon, to don a-wey Þe þornes of synne and falle. A, blessed is þat wombe so sad! And þei ben blessed also Þat god haþ partyng-felawes maad, To dwelle wiþ him euer-mo!

Exultate iusti in domino: rectos decet laudacio.Ps. 32 (33).

Aue per quam reuocat dominus eiectum, Que[m]MS. Que, r. qui? a solo patrio peregre profectumMS. pro grege perfectum Medicus dum reperit vicijs infectum, Morbi causas abstulit simul & effectum. Heil bi whom God called a-ȝeyn Hem þat weoren out cast, Þat from his ffadur seete certeyn Went forþ in gret hast, Leche, þat monkynde þat was mad Parfyt, he fonde infecte, Causes of sikenes þen he forbad And eke þerof þe efecte.

Benedicam dominum in omni tempore: semper laus eius in ore meo.Ps. 33 (34).

Aue mater pariens fructum benedictum, Tactu cuius soluitur Eue maledictum, Que transgressa temere tangens interdictum Transtulit in posteros ulcionis ictum. Heil Modur bringinge forþ Þe feireste fruit i-founde, Þe touche of whuche was so muche worþ Þat Eues curs was vnbounde, Þe whuche trespaced folilyche, Þat was forboden touchyng, Þe strok of veniaunce sikerliche Laft to hem þat were comyng.

Ivdica domine nocentes me, expugna inpugnantes me.Ps. 34 (35).

Aue per quam dominus apprehendens scutumcf. Ps. 34, v. 2. In extento brachio propulit astutum; Qui de scutor. sputo proprio comiscendo lutum Ceco lumen homini reddidit acutum. Heil beo [whom] þe lord of liht A scheld tok priuely, And in his hond I-streyht ariht Put of his enemy; Þat of his owne propre cheld (!), Mengyng þerwiþ cley, As moni men þo bi-heold, Maad a blynt mon seMS. so al-wey.

Dixit iniustus ut delinquat in semet ipso ; non est timor dei ante oculos eius.Ps. 35 (36).

Aue templum gracie, tronus deitatis, Torrens affluencie, domus vbertatis:cf. Ps. 35, v. 9. Per te-solam reddita spes est desperatis: ffluctuantis Anchoram rege nostre ratis. Heil temple of grace, Trone of þe godhed, Plenteuous ryuer in vche place, And eke hous of freohed: Beo þe, hope is ȝolde aȝeyn To hem þat hedde dispeir: Gouerne þe Anker in certeyn Of vr floteryng schip in Eir!

NOli emulari in malignantibus, neque zelaueris facientes iniquitatem.Ps. 36 (37).

Aue carens simili, nusquam malignata,cf. Ps. 36, v. 9. Dignitatis titulo triplicisr. duplicis ornata: Virgo mater diceris; iungisMS. iunge separata, Es vtrumque, docet hec fides oculata. Heil þat hast non lyk to þe, Wiþ vuel neuer ouer-come, Of þreo maner of dignite Wiþ title maad feir and nome: Maiden and Modur þou art told, Disseuered ioy[n]e[st]MS. ioye þou goodlye; Þou art boþe two, as we be-hold— Vs techeþ vr feiþ at eȝe.

Domine, ne in furore tuo arguas me, neque in ira tua corripias me.Ps. 37 (38).

Aue sancti spiritus fecundata rore, Conseruato pariens castitatis flore: Queso fac ne arguat iudex in furore Quos a morte proprio redemit cruore. Heil wiþ deuh I-mad feir Of þe holigost, parde, Þou beryng child wiþ-outen leir Kepst flour of chastite: Mak þou þat he us not missey, Þe Iuge, in no woodnesse, Þat he bouht wiþ his blood verrey ffrom deþ, boþe More and lesse.

Dixi: custodiam vias meas, vt non delinquam in lingua mea.Ps. 38 (39).

Aue cuius filio psalmus decantatur, Et eiusdem habitus in quo figuratur Qui terrena transienscf. Ps. 38, v. 7. in hoc delectatur Si uel mentis gressibus capud consequatur. Heil of whos sone deuoutely A psalm is songe wiþ cure, And of his habit ful sotily In whuche is suche figure Whos, laft þis world outerly, Dilyteþ him to take heed Wiþ steppes of good þouht holy To suwen crist, vr hed.

Exspectans expectaui dominum, et intendit michi.Ps. 39 (40).

Aue tabernaculum regis inpollutum, Per quam soluit dominus ope destitutum: Tuis iuua meritis sponte prouolutum In lacum miserie & in fecis lutum.cf. Ps. 39, v. 2. Heil tabernacle of kyng In-pollute, wondur clen; Þorwh þe þe lord of alle þing Þat hedden non help leosed men: Help þorwh þi worþinesse Him þat is woundun al-wey In þe lake of wrecchednesse And in þe fulþe of cley.

Beatus qui intelligit super egenum & pauperem:MS. pauperumPs. 40 (41). in die mala liberabitMS. liberauit eum dominus.

Aue solisMS. solus ciuitas quam dauid erexit, De qua sol iusticie nube tectus exit, Qui de summis pauperum causas intellexit Et egroto similis egros non despexit. Heil of Sonne þe cite Þat dauid reised on ende, Of whom þe sonne of riht, wuste Wiþ cloude, hit gan forþ wende; To þe causes of pore and meke ffrom heuene heede he tok And made him lyk to þe seke And sek folk nouht forsok.

Quemadmodum desiderat ceruus ad fontes aquarum, ita desiderat anima mea ad te, deus.Ps. 41 (42).

Aue de qua prodeunt vbertatis riui, De qua in-undans profluit aqua fontis uiui: Peto, mater, ueniam, qui per sordesMS. sordis iui; ffac ut fontem siciam magis quam sitiui. Heil from whomMS. whon gon ay forþ Riueers of plente rif, Of whom floweþ of gret worþ Þe watres of welle of lyf. Modur, ich aske nou þi merci: Bi fulþes haue I gon; Aftur þat welle mak me þursti Oftur þen I haue don.

Iudica me, deus, & discerne causam meam de gente non sancta, ab homine iniquo & doloso erue me.Ps. 42 (43).

Aue cuius thalamo iudex est egressus Causas qui determinat, uindicat ex[c]essus; Per quem mentis oculus tenebris oppressus Discat vt in lumine ponat suos gressus. Heil from whos chaumbre her A Iuge is forþ passet Þat determineþ vr causes cler And punisscheþ hem þat trespasseþ; Beo whom of vr þouht þe eȝe, Wiþ derknes þat is ouer-fet, Mow lerne þenne wiþ liht in hyȝe His steppes forte set.

Deus auribus nostris audiuimus, patres nostri an|nunciauerunt nobis.Ps. 43 (44).

Aue cuius filius prouehit egentes Et affligitMS. affugit improbos in nos insurgentes:cf. Ps. 43, v. 8. Pie queso dirigat nostras in se mentes, Reprimendo turbinum motus iminentes. Heil whos worþi sone Bringeþ forþ neodful, certeyn, And proude puiteþ in tribulacione Þat risen vs aȝeyn. Þat al vr þouhtes in to him He dresse, I þe preye, And refreyn of tempest grim Þe sturinges in þis weye.

Eructauit cor meum verbum bonum; dico ego opera mea regi.Ps. 44 (45).

Aue per quam genitor verbum eructauit, Verbum quod hominibus se contemperauit, Quir. Quod dei & hominum federa dictauit Et pro nobis moriens mortem relegauit. Heil be whom biȝetere A word sum tyme forþ sende, Word þat to men here Him-self tempred and bende; Þe whuche of god and of man Endited feire þe bonde, And for us alle diede þan And deþ put out of londe.

Deus noster refugium & uirtus, adiutor in tribulaci|onibus que inuenerunt nos nimis.Ps. 45 (46).

Aue tabernaculum domini virtutum, In quo sumens dominus nostre carnis lutum, Vt captiuum redimat ope destitutum, Arcum fortis conterit & comburit scutum.Ps. 45, v. 9. Heil of þat lord þe tabernacle Þat is of vertue al-way, In whom he tok wiþ-oute obstacle Of vr flesch þe Clay, To Bugge aȝein þe wrecched wiht Þat non hope felede; Of þe strong he brak in fiht Þe bouwe and eke þe schelde.

Omnes gentes plaudite manibus, iubilate deo in uoce exultacionis.Ps. 46 (47).

Aue cuius filius regnat super gentes, Cuius psallunt nomini manibus plaudentes. Iubilemus igitur attollendo mentes, Indefesso capiti cristo adherentes. Heil whos sone so gent Ouer folk regneþ, parfey; To whos name men verrey[me]nt Syngyng wiþ hondes pley. Make we nou Ioye wiþ al vr list, Vr þouhtes an heiȝ resynge To vr noble hed crist, To him euer cleuynge.

MAgnus dominus & laudabilis nimis, in ciuitate dei nostri, in monte sancto tuo.r. eiusPs. 47 (48).

Aue virgo generans regem sempiternum Quique noster deus est, deus in eternum, Qui pro nobis moriens spoliat auernum, Solium nos faciens scandere supernum. Heil Maiden bringinge forþ wiþ mood Þe euerlastinge kyng, Þe whuche is vre god so good, God wiþ-outen endyng; Þat for us whon he dude dye, Al to-spoyled helle, To his ffadur trone on hiȝe To make us stye to dwelle.

Audite hec omnes gentes, auribus percipite omnes qui habitatis terram.Ps. 48 (49).

Aue nostrum gaudium, nostre spes salutis, Per quam cecis redditur lux, & sermo mutis: Nobis innocencie uestibus exutis Redde queso graciam statumque salutis. Heil vr Ioye þat art certeyn, And eke hope of ur hele, Bi whom to blynde is ȝolde aȝeyn Siht, and word to doumbe at mele: To us naked in þis place Of cloþes of innocencie, We preye þe gete us nou grace And staat of vertues hyȝe.

Deus deorum dominus locutus est, et uocauit terram.Ps. 49 (50).

Aue salutarium summa gaudiorum, Saluatorem generans & deum deorum, Qui misertus miseris & consors eorum Culpas lauans pertulit penas peccatorum. Heil summe of honour, Of heleful ioyes i calle, Þou brouhtust forþ vr saueour, God of goddus alle, Þat on wrecches hedde Merci And wox heore felawe anon, Wasschynge heore gultus witerli And tok vr peynes him on.

MIserere mei deus, secundum magnam misericor|diam tuam.Ps. 50 (51).

Aue uirgo generans, nostri miserere, Languescentis animi morbos intuere; Tu miserta miseris et compassa vere, Morbi causas auferens mentibus medere. Heil Maiden Mylde and meke, On Monkuynde haue Merci, Eueles of soules þat beo seke Bi-hold þou witerly; Of wrecches haue Merci verrey And eke Compassioun, Causes of vueles doynge a-wey To hele þouhtes beo boun.

Quid gloriaris in malicia, qui potens es in ini|quitate?Ps. 51 (52).

Aue was mundicie continens vnguentum, Veteris malicie comprimens fermentum: Cordis nostri comprime motum turbulentum, Tue nobis gracie conferens augmentum. Heil vessel of Clannesse Holdyng Oygnement I-nouh, Of þe olde wrecchednesse Holdyng doun sourdouh, Þe mouinges þat ben troublus Of vr herte refreinynge, Ȝiuinger. ȝiue? of þi grace to vs Euer-more echynge.

Dix[i]t insipiens in corde suo: non est deus.Ps. 52 (53).

Aue nostri generis presens ad tutelam: Audi quam effundimus gemitus loquelam: Tu corrumpiMS. corrumpe nescia tolle cor[r]uptelam Et morbosis mentibus adhibe medelam. Heil þat euer art present Vr kuynde forte defende: Here ur speche wiþ good entent Þat we forþ to þe sende: Þou þat wost no corrupcioun, ffrom us do hit a-wey, To seke þouhtus loke þou beo boun Medicyn to do verrey.

Deus, in nomine tuo saluum me fac, & in uirtute tua iudica me.Ps. 53 (54).

Aue cuius filius patri coequalis Nobis se contemperans factus est mortalis. Nos experiencia doceat realis Quod in eius nomine saluemur a malis. Heil whos sone glorious, To his ffadur euene, HaþMS. þat comformedMS. confermed him to us I-maad of dedly steuene: Nou beo we tauht spiritualy Beo experienceMS. experimence Real, Þat in his nome ful sikerly Saued we ben from eueles alle.

Exaudi, deus, oracionem meam, et ne despexeris de|precacionem meam; intende michi et exaudi me.Ps. 54 (55).

Aue secretarium exaudicionis, Nostre verba suscipe deprecacionis Nosque tue gracie predotatos donis Ad diuine transferas pacem visionis. Heil þou holy sacrarie, Vr askynges euer heryng, Vrr. þe wordus þou take deuoutly Al-wei of vre preying; Vs also þat of þi grace Wiþ ȝiftus maade riche ariht, Of pees translate to þe place Of heueneliche siht.

MIserere mei deus, quoniam conculcauit me homo: tota die inpugnans tribulauit me.Ps. 55 (56).

Aue Mater venie, potens misereri: In tuorum numero fac nos recenceri, Et cum ventilacioMS. ventulacio ceperit haberi, Iram nobis tempera iudicis seueri. Heil Modur of forȝifnesse, Mihti to haue merci: Make us be founde þorwh þi godnesse Among þi seruauns herti; And whon þe wynewyng schal be-ginne To parte euel from good, Tempre þou þen to us wiþ þi ginne Of wraþþe þe Iewes= juge's mod.

MIserere mei deus, miserere mei, quoniam in te confidit anima mea.Ps. 56 (57).

Aue nostri generis potens aduocata: Miserere miseris, misereri nata; Nos qui per te canimus solui iudicata,MS. medicata Per te solui petimus: solue postulata. Heil, for þou art of monkynde An Aduoket mihti: Haue merci, and haue in mynde Of wrecches þou haue merci; We þat syngen þat bi þe Þat iuged is to paye, We asken alle vnbounde to be, Tor. þou pay þat asked is ayȝe.

SI uere utique iusticiam loquimini, recter. recta iudicate filij hominum.Ps. 57 (58).

Aue que iusticiam semper es locuta, Cuius ope demonum fraus est imminuta: Senciat & sapiat per te plebs adiuta Libertati pristine quo[d]MS. quo sit restituta. Heil þou þat rihtwysnesse Hast i-spoken al-way, Þorwh whos help þe queyntenesse Of þe fend is lutled ay; Þat þe peple holpen beo bi þe, ffeele þei hit in certeyn, Þat to þe furste liberte Þei beo restored a-ȝeyn.

Eripe me de inimicis meis, deus meus, et ab insur|gentibus in me libera me.Ps. 58 (59).

Aue mater nesciens in delicto thorum, Ad quam clamat iugite[r] turba filiorum: Nos a malis eripe, quos a uia morum Detorquere satagit tractus viciorum. Heil modur þat nost sikerliche Trespas don abedde, To whom þe peple bisiliche Crieþ and longe haþ gredde: Lyuere vs from eueles euerichon, Whuche from good maner Vs to wiþ-drawe is bisy mon Þe drauht of vices her.

Deus, repulisti nos & dest[r]uxisti nos, iratus es et misertus es nobis.Ps. 59 (60).

Aue per quam deitas carne palliata Idumeamof. Ps. 59, v.9. visitat corrigens errata: Tibi, mater, iugiter psallat plebs renata, Dei participio per te sociata. Heil beo whom þe godhed In vr flesch was laced, So Idumeam he visyted To mende þat hedde trespaced: To þe, Modur of worschipe, Syngeþ peple þat cristen is, Þat to Godus felaschipe Þey mowe beo ioyned in blis.

Exaudi, deus, deprecacionem meam, intende ora|cioni mee.Ps. 60 (61).

Aue lux exposita loco preminenti, Lux illustrans omnia radio patenti: Nos a malis omnibus serues in presenti, Lumen verum conferens nubilose menti. Heil, þou hast sent forþ liht In place most principal, Liht euer schynynge briht Wiþ open bem ouer-al: Kep us from vuel þat us haþ souht, Whil þat we dwellen here, Ȝiuynge to vre derke þouht Verrey liht and clere.

NOnne deo subiecta erit anima mea? ab ipso enim salutare meum.Ps. 61 (62)

Aue per quam deitas peregre profecta Visitauit exules, nube carnis tecta: Nostra per te deo sit anima subiecta, Ad soluendas domino grates circumspecta. Heil beo whom þe godhed Went forþ a-pilgrimage And þe flemed visyted, Huled wiþ fflesch of age: Þorwh þe vr soules to God, ladi, Soget beo þei and meke, To þonke vr lord ful hertily Ay tor. þei? beo bisy eke.

Deus deus meus, ad te de luce vigilo.Ps. 62 (63).

Aue vite pabulum, virginum lucerna, Quam plus ditat ceteris gracia superna: Pietate filijs subueni materna, Sanctitatis adipe sacians interna. Heil, þou art code of lyf, And Maydens cke lanterne; Whom bi-foren oþur riche and rif Haþ maad þe grace of heuene: Help þi sones of þi godnesse As Modur of pite, ffullyng hem of þi fatnesse Of inward saunctite.

Exaudi, deus, oracionem meam cum deprecor: a timore inimici eripe animam meam.Ps. 63 (64).

Aue virgo generans per quemMS. quam defecerunt Hij qui velud gladiumMS. gladij linguas acuerunt;cf. Ps. 63, v. 3. Qui tendentes laqueos, in quos inciderunt, Ex defectu proprio nobis p[r]ofuerunt.MS. posuerunt Heil Mayden, him forþ bringynge Be whom al þei dude fayle Þat hedden tonges of scharpynge AsMS. And swerd þat kerueþ Mayle; Þei maden panters for oþur men And fullen in to þe same; Of heor oune defaute þen To vs þe profyt came.

TE decet ymnus, deus, in syon, et tibi reddetur uotum in Ierusalem.Ps. 64 (65).

Aue per quam deitas, carnis indumento Tecta, curat morbidum gracie fomento: Queso fac ut centupli gaudens incremento Habundare valeam valliumMS. valli non frumento.cf. Ps. 64, v. 13. Heil þorwh whom godhed i-wis Of vre flesch tok cloþinge, fforte helen us of seknis Þorwh his grace helpynge. Þat i mou, Ioynge, prei i þe, An hundredfold of encrece and hete, Haue plentiuouse charite Of þe valeye of whete.

IVbilate deo omnis terra, psalmum dicite nomini eius, date gloriam laudi eius.Ps. 65 (66).

Aue virgo generans plebis salutare, Cuius laudes resonent celum, terra, mare, Qui naturam hominis uolens exaltare Moriendo voluit mortem terminare. Heil Mayden, bringyng forþ Of folk þe helþe, parde, Of whos herying sounen in worþ Heuene, Erþe and Séé, Him þat al monkynde Wolde en-haunce wel hiȝe, And so for us eke dyinge Put out deþes eiȝe.

Deus misereatur nostri & benedicat nobis: illuminet uultum suum super nos & misereatur nostri.Ps. 66 (67).

Aue per quam miseris deus miseretur, Per quamr. quem? nostri generis scelus aboletur: Per te sic miseria nostra releuetur Vt in finem gaudio uero permutetur. Heil þorwh whom God haþ muynde On wrecches and haþ merci, Þorwh whom al Monkynde Clansed is þat was gulti: Beo þe al vr wrecchednis So beo releued a-wey Þat in to þe ende ofr. wiþ? ioye and blis hit beo chaunged verrey.

Exurgat deus & dissipentur inimici eius, & fugiant qui oderunt eum a facie eius.Ps. 67 (68).

Aue de qua natus est triumphator mortis, Deus ex te particeps factus nostre sortis, Qui captiuos eruens ab inferni portis Reddat nos consorcio celice cohortis. Heil of whom boren was her He þat deþ ouercom, God of þe vr parciner Was maad and vre lot nom. He þat wrecches wiþ worschip Lyuered fro ȝates of helle, Restore vs to þe felaschip Wiþ heuenlich folk to dwelle.

SAluum me fac deus, quoniam intrauerunt aque usque ad animam meam.Ps. 68 (69).

Aue stella fulgida, stella salutaris, Stella de qua prodijt radius solaris: Mentis pelle tenebras, nec nos paciaris Absorberi fluctibus procellosi maris.cf. Ps. 68, v. 16. Heil þou sterre schynyng briht, Of vr hele þou art sterre; Sterre from whom went forþ riht Þe Sonne-Beem, our herre: Þe derknesses of vr þouht Make þou a-wey to fle; Þat we be swolewed, suffre þou nouht, Wiþ tempestes of þe séé.

Deus in adiutorium meum intende, domine ad adiu|uandum me festina.Ps. 69 (70).

Aue vallis humilis, in quam cum descendit Deus verus, Abrahe semen apprehendit, Et sic adiutorium miseris inpendit Conterendo laqueos hostis quos tetendit. Heil valeye of humilite, In whom whon þer doun cam Verrey God þat tok of þe Þe seed of Abraham, On such maner he ȝaf helpyn[g] To wrecches þat weoren in wer, Þe panters al to-brekyng Þat vre Enemy made heer.

In te domine speraui, non confundar in eternum; inPs. 70 (71). iusticia tua libera me & eripe me.

Aue vite ianua, speciemr. species? virtutis, Protectorem generans ope destitutis: Nostrum sis refugium, nostre spes salutis,cf. Ps. 70, v. 3 ff. Per quam dure soluitur iugum seruitutis. Heil ȝate of lyf wiþ honour, Of vertues þou art spice, Bringyng forþ þe protectour To helples þorw vice; Þou art refuyt to eueri age, Hope of hele i-founde, Þorwh whom now of bondage Þe harde ȝok is vnbounde.

Deus, iudicium tuum regi da, et iusticiam tuam filio regis.Ps. 71 (72).

Aue celi pluuia vellus iroratum,cf. Ps. 71, v. 6. Indumentum preparans regi purpuratum, Qui se nostri generis gerens aduocatum ffecitMS. fferit finem litibus, finem perbeatum. Heil, of heuene þou art reyn, And fleos wiþ dewh i-wet, Cloþing of purpre þou art, certeyn, To þat kyng arayed and met, Þat him-self to vr kuynde Schewed him so Aduoket, Of alle stryues made an ende, In blisse vs forte set. This stanza refers to Ps. 71, v. 9-12, but is headed in the MS. by Ps. 72 (Quam bonus), and so the next Qua|trains till Ps. 78 have the wrong heading.Aue cuius filio gens ab OrientePs. 71, 9 ff. Trina trino detulit, stella precedente; Sic iunctura fidei duos u[n]iente, Liberauit pauperem deus a potente.cf. Ps. 71, v. 12. Heil [to] whos sone gent Þreo kynges fro þe Est Comen feire wiþ heore present, A sterre hem ladde best; So þe ioynture of þe fey Twiȝen þen onynge, God þe pore lyuered awey ffrom þe mihti nuwynge.= ags. niowunga anew

Quam bonus, israel, deus hijs qui recto sunt corde!Ps. 72 (73).

Aue virgo generans orbis architectum, Qui dum mortis moriens terminat effectum, Mentis nostre gressibus iter parat rectum, Vt nequaquam transeant cordis in affectum.cf. Ps. 72, v. 7. Heil Mayden, for þou him beer Þat al þe world doþ keuere; Þat for vs alle dyȝinge heer deþ destruyed for euere; Þe rihte wey a-rayed so to steppus of vr þouhte, ffor we schulde on nowyse go As men þat no-þing rouhte.

Vt quid, deus, repulisti in finem? iratus est furor tuus super oues pascue tue?Ps. 73 (74).

Aue cuius filius operans salutem In terrarum medio,cf. Ps. 73, v. 12. mouet ad uirtutem. Erumpnosam remoue, mater, seruitutem, Presens ut exilium gaudio permutem. Heil whos sone has wrouht Al vr hele sponnewe, Þat in þe myddes of eorþe vs souht To meoue us to vertue. Remuwe þou, Modur gentil, Bondage from vr graunge, Þat we mowen vre exil Wiþ Ioye of heuene chaunge.

Confitebimur tibi, deus, confitebimur, et inuocabimus nomen tuum.Ps. 74 (75).

Aue cuius gracia ueniam meretur ffidem qui catholicam pie confitetur: Tuis, virgo, meritis precibusque detur Vt quod Eua perdidit per te reformetur. Heil þorwh whos grace may haue fforȝiuenes verreyliche He þat þe holy feiþ wol saue And knowleche hit mekeliche: Þorwh þi merit, mayden dere, To vs beo hit iȝiue Þat hit beo refoormed here Þat lost was þorwh Eue.

NOtus in Iudea deus, in israel magnum nomen eius.Ps. 75 (76).

Aue per quam dominus pietate motus Humilis apparuit in iudea notus: ffortem redde spiritum, frangens carnis motus, Vt deuote seruiat tibi toti totus. Heil þorwh whom þe lord of miht Was stured wiþ pite, And schewed him meke to monnes siht And knowen was in Iudec: Mak þou vs of spirit strong, Sturynges of flesche brekyng, Þat we ben alle wiþ herte and tong Deuout to þe seruyng.

VOce mea ad dominum clamaui; uoce mea ad deum, & intendit michi.Ps. 76 (77).

Aue mater gracie, gemmis redimita, Mater per quam pauperum uox est exaudita: Tuus nobis filius in presenti uita Via sit & veritas in futuro sita. Heil modur of grace i calle þe þen, Schinyng as precious stones, Modur þorwh whom of þe pore men Þe vois is herd at ones: To vs þi sone of worþinesse In þis lyf hol and some Beo he boþe wey and soþfastnesse ffor lyf þat is to come.

Attendite popule meus legem meam, inclinate aurem uestram in uerba oris mei.Ps. 77 (78).

Aue terra glorie germinans frumentum,cf. Ps. 77, v. 24 ff. Animabus conferens uite nutrimentum,cf. Ps. 77, v. 25. Quod in crucis cornibus a iudeis tentum Moriendo centupli tulit incrementum. Heil, þou noble lond of blis Whete wel feir borionyng, To mennes soules þou ȝiuest i-wis Of lyf þe norisschyng, Þat on þe hornes of þe Croys Iewes helden wiþ-outen les; Dyȝinge he ȝaf wiþ-outen noysMS. uoys An hundred-fold encrees.

Deus, uenerunt gentes in hereditatem tuam, pollue|runt templum sanctum tuum, posuerunt ierusalem in p[omorum] c[ustodiam].Ps. 78 (79).

Latin Quatrain to Ps. 78 wanting.Heil from whom went forþ þo Þe ffadur of fadurles, Whos temple defouled also Þe peple of corsudnes: Ioyne þi seruauns euerichon To holi cumpaygnye; Þi sones take in possession Þat peyned ben heer to dye.cf. Ps. 78, v. 11.

Qui regis israel, intende; qui deducis uelud ouem Ioseph.Ps. 79 (80).

Aue lumen fidei, summa spei certe, Caritatis vinculum; veritatis per te Via nobis paruit: queso nos conuerte,cf. Ps. 79, v. 4. Et ne mala videant, oculosMS. ouculos auerte. Heil, þou art þe liht of feiþ, And vr heȝe hope, parde, And eke of Charite, men seiþ, Þe bond. Þerfore þorwh þe Of soþnesse to us þe weye Was schewed. we preye þe now, Conuerte us, þat wiþ vr eiȝe Seo vueles we ne mow.

Exultate deo adiutori nostro, iubilate deo iacob.Ps. 80 (81).

Aue cuius filius dextera potenti Ab egipti cophinocf. Ps. 80, v. 7. suos in presenti Liberando reficit adipe frumenti, Et de petra saciat melle profluenti.cf. Ps. 80, v. 17. Heil whos sone fyn Wiþ his mihti honde ffrom Egiptus cofyn Diliuered us her in londe, After þat vs refetyng Wiþ þe ter'teer of flowre, amolum,' Pr. Parv. of whete, And of þe ston hony flowyng ffulled vs at mete.

Deus stetit in synagoga deorum, in medio autem deos diiudicat.Ps. 81 (82).

Aue cuius filius stetit in deorum Synagoga, iudicans principes eorum; Qui pupillos refouens spes est egenorum,cf. Ps. 81, v. 3. Nos adoptans erigit in spem filiorum. Heil, whos deore sone stod In þe Synagoge of goddes And iuged þer wiþ stille mood Princis lyuynge as dogges; And foode ȝaf to þe faderles, And hope eke to neodi; Vs to his sones he dude purches In to hope on hyȝ.

Deus, quis similis erit tibi? ne taceas neque com|pescaris, deus.Ps. 82 (83).

Aue per quam nobis est similis effectus Deus, iudex hominum paciens & rectus: Purga conciencias, ordinans affectus, Vt non nobis noceat noster inperfectus. Heil þorwh whom, as we haue mynde, To us is maad nou lyke God, þat iuge is of monkynde, Suffring and rihtful eke: Purge þou vr concience, And ordeyne vre delyt, Þat us greue nouȝt vre offence Of wrecches in-parfyt.

Quam dilecta tabernacula tua, domine virtutum: concupiscit & deficit anima mea in atria domini.Ps. 83 (84).

Aue tabernaculum facta deitatis, In quo saluat seculum cristus a peccatis: Solue queso vinculum nostre prauitatis, Prestans habitaculum noue claritatis. Heil tabernacle cler Maade of þe godhed, In whom crist saued þe world her ffrom synne and wrecchedhed: Þe bond, we preye þe, vnbynde Of vre schrewednesse, And ȝif us place to vre dwellynge: Þat is of newe clernesse.

Benedixisti domine terram tuam, auertisti captiui|tatem iacob.Ps. 84 (85).

Aue terra gracie fecundata donis, Noue fructum proferens benediccionis: Nostrum desiderium facies in bonis, Nos a malis eximens praue nacionis. Heil noble eorþe of grace Þorwh ȝiftus wel arrayed, To bringe forþ fruyt in luytel space Of newe blessyng assayed: Þou schalt make al vre desyr In godnesse to be stede; Of al vuel quenche þou þe fyr And eke of wikkedhede.

INclina domine aurem tuam & exaudi me, quoniam inops & pauper sum ego.Ps. 85 (86).

Aue uite speculum, uirginum regina, Quam lustrauit vndique gracia diuina: Aurem tuam pauperum precibus inclina, Quos inuoluit misere sordium sentina. Heil þou cler myrour of lyf, Of Maydens þou art queene, Whom grace of heuene ouer-al ful ryf Schynyng schewed schene: Beende þyn eres bisyliche To pore mennes preyere, Þe whuche ben wrapped wrecchedliche In fulþe and serwe in-feere.

Fundamenta eius in montibus sanctis: diligitPs. 86 (87). dominus portas syon super omnia tabernacula iacob.

Aue dei ciuitas, cuius fundamentum Samarites construit, qui nos in iumentum Semiuiuos [subleuans] plagis dat vnguentum, Viuor. vino: cf. Luc. 10, 34. legis adhibens gracie fomentum. Heil cite of god and man, Of whuche þe foundement Buylded þe Samaritan, Þat us vppon his iument Sette þat br[o]uȝt wasr. war neih [of]MS. to dawe, And ȝaf us vnement, Eching to hem þat lyuen beo lawe, Of grace help verrement.

Domine deus salutis mee, in die clamaui et nocte coram te.Ps. 87 (88).

Aue mater domini qui spes estMS. & salutis, Qui contriuit moriens iugum seruitutis: Iuua nos in tempore nostre senectutis, Nos in celum subleuans gradibus virtutis. Heil Modur of [þe] lord and kyng, Þat hope art of vr hele, Þe whuche brac in his dyȝing Of bondage ȝokkes fele: Help us nou wiþ þi preying— We ben in ful gret age; In to heuene vs up liftyng Þorwh vertus, stage vp stage.

Misericordias domini in eternum cantabo.Ps. 88 (89).

Aue nostri generis terminans lamentum, Per quam rex disposuit uite testamentum:cf. Ps. 88, v. 20. Gregem tuis laudibus iugiter intentum Non pauere facias iudicis aduentum. Heil of Monkynde ende makyng Of alle serwe and stryf, Þorwh whom disposet haþ vr kyng Þe Testament of lyf: Þis folk þat in þyn herying Heer trauayleþ day bi day, Mak þat þei haue no dredyng Whon Iuge schal come verray.

Domine, refugium factus es nobis, a generacione in generacionem.Ps. 89 (90).

Aue que refugium facta desperatis Procellose comprimis motus tempestatis: Paca nos & applica portubus optatis, VultuiMS. Vultru nos offerens summe trinitatis. Heil, for þou art help ful good To hem þat han non hope; Þou a-batest þe grete flood, In tempest whon we ben lope: To þat hauene þou vs brynge Þat ay desyre schulde we, In to þe siht vs offringe Of þe heiȝe Trinite.

Qui habitat in adiutorio altissimi, in protectione dei celi commorabitur.Ps. 90 (91).

Aue quam inhabitat verbum caro factum, Qui collapsos uetiti ligni per contactum Nos fecisse condolens cum inferno pactum, Ligno vite reparat figuli was fractum.cf. Ps. 2, v. 9. Heil in whom word made flesch Dwelleþ, þat haþ mournyng Of fallyng of Monkynde so nesch, fforboden a treo touchyng; Þat bouhte mon fro pyne of hel, Þat þer schulde haue bi stoke; Wiþ þe treo of lyf he heled wel Þe vessel þat was broke.

Bonum est confiteri domino, et psallere nomini tuo,Ps. 91 (92). altissime.

Aue per quam domino pie confitemur, Cuius pie veniam consequi meremur: Tuis sanctis precibus, mater, adiuuemur, Vt cum cristo iugiter tecum gloriemur. Heil þorwh whom to god mekeliche Men make confession, And aftur þat mercifuliche Graunteþ us remission: Modur, þorwh þi preyere Beo we so holpen a-way,r. al-way? Þat wiþ crist and þe i-fere Ioye we mowe haue ay.

Dominus regnauit, decorem indutus est; indutus est dominus fortitudinem & precinxit se.Ps. 92 (93).

Aue per quam dominus induens decorem, Matris Eue moriens terminat merorem, Prime nos originis uocans ad honorem, Immo statum reuocans multo meliorem. Heil þorwh whom God cloþing Of feirnesse tok at morwe, Of Eue, vr modur, for us dying He endet al þe sorwe, Callynge aȝein vs to honour Of vr furst springyng forþ, And us sette, soffring hard schour, In staat muche more worþ.

Deus ulcionum dominus; deus ulcionum libere egit.Ps. 93 (94).

Aue mater domini miseracionum, Mea delens crimina spiritum da bonum, Vt astare valeam gaudens ante tronum, Cum in finem venerit deus vlcionum. Heil modur of þe lord Of Merci þat is parfyt: Do wey my synnes of dedesr. dede and word, And ȝif me good spirit, Þat I may stonde wiþ cher gladyng To-fore þe trone of blis, Whon god schal come at þe endyng To venge dedes mis.

Venite, exultemus domino, iubilemus deo salutari nostro.Ps. 94 (95).

Aue mater inclita,MS. indica; the translator read modica. mater inquam dei, Per quem datur Sabbatum uere requiei; Hic est qui nos liberat anno iubilei:cf. Ps. 94, v. 10, 11. Vnde nec in-merito iubilamus ei. Heil modur meke wiþ-oute debat, Heil modurMS. modur of modur of of Ihesu crist, Þorwh whom to us þe Sabat Is ȝiuen of verrey ristMS. riht; He hit is þat lyuereþ vs In þe ȝeer of Iubilee: Þerfore vchon as men ioyus To him nou synge we.

Cantate domino canticum nouum, cantate dominoPs. 95 (96). omnis terra.

Aue per quam domino nouit decantare Nouum terra canticum laudans salutare; Qui nos, cum redierit orbem salutare,r. indicare; cf. Ps. 95, v. 13. Summi patris ouibus velit agregare. Heil þorwh whom to vr lord Men han lernd to synge A newe song wiþ vois and word Of heleþe hinf hery[i]nge, Þat heom. he? wole, whon he comeþ aȝeyn Þe world forte grete, His ffadres schep þen in certeyn To-gedere he wol gete.

Dominus regnauit: exultet terra, letentur insule multe.Ps. 96 (97).

Aue cuius filius regnans sine fyne Egrotanti factus est auctor medicine, Qui naturam hominis vniens diuine ffit per mortis terminum terminusMS. terminis ruine. Heil whos sone in pouste Regneþ wiþ-outen ende, To syke men mad is he Medicyn, hem to mende; Þe whuche of monkynde and diuyn Maade an onynge, And in his dyȝinge dude termyn Þe terme of vre fallynge.

Cantate domino canticum nouum, quia mirabilia fecit.Ps. 97 (98).

Aue que libidinis non sensisti motum, Per quam fecit dominus salutare notum,cf. Ps. 97, v. 2. Qui, quod erat hominis, assumendo totum Ergo se contemperat, sanet ut egrotum. Heil þou þat of lecherie ffeledest neuer no sturyng; Þorwh þe þe lord of glorie Maade hele to vr knowyng: He tok al þing him vppon Þat was of Monkuynde eke, fforte helen hem euerichon Þat in soule weren seke.

Dominus regnauit: irascantur populi; qui sedetMS. sedesPs. 98 (99). super cherubin, moueatur terra.

Aue que iusticie solem nubePs. 98, v. 7. tegis, Tronus facta gracie, tronus summi regis: Nostri queso uigiles ad tutelam gregis, Vt in nobis uigeat plenitudo legis. Heil þou þe sonne of rihtwysnes Wiþ clene cloude huledest, Made trone of grace and goodnes, Trone of kyng hiȝist: Vr flok forte defende We prey þe wake and dawe, Þat we mowe þriue and us amende Wiþ ffulnesse of þe lawe.

Iubilate deo omnis terra, seruite domino in leticia.Ps. 99 (100).

Aue mater, cuius est pietas in-mensa, Cuius ope languidis salus est inpensa: Mentis uota suscipe iubilumque pensa, Et perhenne gaudium nobis recompensa. Heil Modur swete, whos pite May no mon þenke ne telle; To seke men is ȝiue þorwh þe An hele, soþ as gospelle: Tac þou deuocions of vr þouht, And of gladnesse tak hede; Þe ioye euerlastynge forȝete þou nouht To gete us to vr mede.

MIsericordiam & iudicium cantabo tibi, domine.Ps. 100 (101).

Aue Mater solitum gignens preter morem, Que gignendo retines virginis pudorem:cf. Ps. 100, v. 2. Iuris & iudicij feruidum rigorem per misericordie temperaMS. tempora dulcorem. Hei[l] Modur child forþ bringynge Aȝeynes comuyn custome, Of Maydenhod ȝit stille holdynge Clannesse wiþ-outen schome: Of lawe and of þe Iuggement Þat ilke brennynge hardnesse Tempre þou wiþ good entent Of Merci wiþ swetnesse.

DOmine, exaudi oracionem meam, et clamor meus ad te veniat.Ps. 101 (102).

Aue per quam pauperum uoces exaudiuit Passer solitariuscf. Ps. 101, v. 8. qui post mortem viuit; Qui per penas diluens culpam quam nesciuit, Iugum mortis moriens opido contriuit. Heil þorwh whom of pore men Voyces heereþ of breþ Þe sparwe in þe euene soleyn Þat lyueþ aftur his deþ; Þat wiþ peynes harde wassching Þe gultus þat he nouht kneuh, Þe ȝok of deþ for us dying He al to-brac and dreuh.

BEnedic anima mea domino, & omnia que intra me sunt nomini sancto eius.Ps. 102 (103).

Aue Mater titulo benediccionis Illustrata celitus graciequeMS. graciaque donis: Nos illustra cumulo miseracionis, Statum mutans misere conuersacionis. Heil Modur þat aboute by-gon Wiþ tytle of good blessynge, Wiþ grace and vertues mony on, Þorwh ȝiftus of vr kynge: Resseyue þou vs þorwh þi goodnes Wiþ plenteuous merci, Chaungynge ur stat of wrecchednes In to lyuyng holy.

Benedic anima mea domino: domine deus meus,Ps. 103 (104). magnificatus es uehementer.

Aue Mater gracie, Mater Benedicta, Malediccionibus Eue non astricta: Moles queso criminum aufer & delicta, Vt seueri iudicis temperes edicta. Heil þou modur of grace, Modur al-wey blessid. . . . .2 vv. wanting.: Þe Moles of vr crym, we prey, Do wey, and vre trespas, Þe Iuges harde biddynges verrey Tempre þou in luytel spas.

COnfitemini domino & inuocate nomen eius; Annun|ciate inter gentes opera eius.Ps. 104 (105).

Aue Mater filij, per quamr. quem? liberantur Qui sub mole criminumMS. crimini pressi condempnantur: Ipsi, per quem federa gracie ditantur, Pie nos confedera cum hijs qui saluantur. Heil Modur of Sone i-blest, Þorwh whom dyliuered beone Þei þat wiþ crymes ben opprest, And dampned wiþ-outen wene. To him, þorwh homMS. him euer-mo Bondes of grace ben maade, MekeMS. Make him þou bynde us to, Wiþ hem þat ben saue and glade.

COnfitemini domino, quoniam bonus, quoniam in seculum misericordia eius.Ps. 105 (106).

Aue cuius filio pie confitemur, Quod Egipti tenebris;MS. tenebras per hunc amouemurMS. admonemur Qui pro nobis gladium ponit super femur,cf. Ps. 44, v. 4. Quo accinctus dimicet, ne nos expugnemur. Heil to whos sone in soþnes We knowleche wiþ good fey, Þat of Egiptus derknes Þorwh him we ben [don] a-wey; Þe whuche for vs haþ put a swerd Vppon his syde ful riht, And so igurt nis nouȝt a-ferd, ffor vs redi to fiht.

Confitemini domino, quoniam bonus, quoniam in seculum misericordia eius.Ps. 106 (107).

Aue Mater domini qui te preelegit, Qui cateruas hostiumMS. hominum moriens confregitef. Ps. 106, v. 16. Et inferna uisitans, predo quos abegit A predonis faucibus preda factus egit. Heil Modur of þe lord of al Þat þe to-fore oþur haþ chosun; Þat cumpaygnyes grete and smal [Of] þe fendes dyȝinge haþ brokun, And aftur þat helle visityng, Þer. þat þe? rauynour drof a-way, Andom. And? fro þe chekes of þe Rauyning Dyliuered us, whon he was pray.

PAratum cor meum deus, paratum cor meum: can|tabo & psallam in gloria mea.Ps. 107 (108).

Aue nostrum gaudium, nostra spes & vita, Cuius ope salus est egris inpertita: Generalem generis sortem non oblita, Ad eterne pabulum uite nos inuita. Heil vr ioye and al vr blis, Vr hope and eke vr lyf; Þorwh whom to seke men heer is Hele ȝiuen ful rif: Þe comuyn lot nou of monkynde Loke þat þou nouȝt forȝete, And of þe lyf euer-lastinde Þou bidde us to þe mete.

Deus, laudem meam ne tacueris, quia os peccatoris & os dolosi super me apertum est.Ps. 108 (109).

Aue per quam dominus nostri miseretur, Cuius laus in filio digne recensetur; Qui dum pacis osculum ficte non veretur, Sibi laudem, gloriam nobis promeretur. Heil þorwh whom þe lord of miht On vs euere haþ merci, Whos herying in Sone is riht Reherced eft worþily; Þe whuche whon he dredde no-þing Iudas feyned cos, To him-self he won heriing, And ioye and blisse to vs.

Dixit dominus domino meo: sede a dextris meis.Ps. 109 (110).

Aue cuius vterus factus est castellum Quod intrauit dominus properans ad bellum, Qui sibi de restibus faciens flagellum Inimicos posuit pedum sub scabellum.cf. Ps. 109, v. 1. Heil whos wombe was mad wiþ riht Castel of feir dwellyng, In whuche entred þe lord of miht Toward batayle goyng; Þat to him-self of wiþþes gret Smart scourge made and hot And his enemys so set Vndur þe stol of his fot.

Confitebor tibi domine in toto corde meo, in consilio iustorum & congregacione.Ps. 110 (111).

Aue per quam genitor filium premisit, Redimendi populi cui curam commisit;cf. Ps. 110, v. 9. In quem cum diabolus manum suam misit, Quos ad mortem traxerat nescius amisit. Heil þorwh whom þe getere His sone sende bi-fore, To whom he ȝaf þen powere Aȝeyn-bugge þulke þat weren lore; On whom whon þe fend ful fawe His hond hedde set wiþ bost, Þulke þat to deþ he hedde i-drawe Vn-wityngliche he lost.

Beatus vir qui timet dominum, in mandatis eius volet nimis.Ps. 111 (112).

Aue stella nuncians veri solis ortum, De qua verum tenebris lumen est exortumcf. Ps. 111, v. 4. Quod in nostris mentibus reperis distortum, Tue participio lucis sit absortum. Heil sterre to vs schewyng Springynge of verrey Sonne, Of whom verrey lihtyng To derknesse is bygunne. Wheþer hit beo croked oþur vnriht Þat þou fyndest in vr þouht, Wiþ sum partye of þi lyht Mak hit out beo brouht.

LAudate pueri dominum, laudate nomen domini.Ps. 112 (113).

Aue mater pueri per quem vita datur, Cuius laus a pueris digne predicatur. Per te nobis puritas uite conferatur, QueMS. Qno in puericie nomine signatur. Heil Modur of þat childe Þorwh whom is ȝiuen lyf; Whos heryinge of children mylde Preched is wel ryf: Clannes of lyf wiþ-outen blame To us be ȝiuen þorwh þe, Þat of childhode in þe name Beo-tokned is, parde.

IN exitu israel de egypto, domus iacob de populo barbaroPs. 113 (114).

Aue cuius filius sudans in agone Mare nobis consecrat merso pharaone; Qui fit preda faciens predam de predone, Sicque predo uictus est vetus a tyrone. Heil whos sone, whon he sweted In his gret Agonye, Þe séé to vs he halewed, Pharao dreynt is at eiȝe; He þat was maad preye, haþ preyed Mihtiliche his preyour, And so þe olde preyour is venquised Of a Champioun of honour.

DIlexi, quoniam exaudiet dominus uocem oracionis mee.Ps. 114 (116).

Aue norma fidei, pacis disciplina, Apis mella faciens, uitis fundens uina: Vini meri calicem filiis propina, Et de valle tristium transfer ad diuina. Heil, þou art rule of feiþ, parde, And of þe pees disciplyn, Makyng hony þou art þe Beo, A Vyne eke heldyng out wyn: Þe chalys of þe wyn so clere ffulle to þi sones euene; Out of þis valeye of serwes here Translate us in to heuene.

Credidi propter quod locutus sum, ego autem humili|atus sum nimis.Ps. 115 (116, v. 10).

Aue uitis fertilis docta propinare Vinum quod inebriat, uinum salutare,cf. Ps. v. 13. Vinum de quo dominus risum fecit Sare Dum promisit Abrahe semen ampliare. Heil þou plentiuous vyn, Tauht to forþfulle and dele Wyn þat moysteþ men wyþ-in, Þat wyn is al vr hele; Wyn of whuche vr lord made game And lauhtre eke to Saare, Whon he bi-hiht to Habrahame His seed schulde encrece mare.

LAudate dominum omnes gentes, laudate eum omnes populi.Ps. 116 (117).

Aue per quam factus est homo rex celorum, Cuius passim resonat laudes uox celorum: Te laudare iugiter summa sit uotorum, Donec nos suscipiat chorus angelorum. Heil þorwh whom a Mon is maad Kyng of heuene, and calle, On whos heriinge crien ful sad Of heuene þe voises alle: Þe to herie bisi men hem make Wiþ herte deuoutelye, Til þat out of þis world us take Aungeles Cumpaygnye.

Confitemini domino, quoniam bonus, quoniam in seculum misericordia eius.Ps. 117 (118).

Aue vitis gracie, vitis salutaris, Quam vallauit vndique lapis angularis:cf. Ps. 117, v. 22. Nostram sepi uineam uallo quo vallaris, Ne nos ledat rabies feri singularis. Heil, þou art vyn of grace, And vyne of hele al-one; Þe whuche enuyround in al space He þat is kernerer. corner stone: Hegge þou a-boute vr vyn-ȝard Now in þis valey here, Þat woodnes us hurte ne make aferd Of þe wylde best singulere.

BEati in-maculati in via, qui ambulant in lege domini.Ps. 118 (119).

Aue pia genitrix in-maculatorum, Quorum lex est currere viam mandatorum;cf. Ps. 118, v. 4. Ne a via deuient pedes uiatorum, Quod nos grauat amoue, pondus peccatorum. Heil þou bringere forþ so gent Of men þat haue no synne, InMS. In to þe [wey] of good comaundement Whos law esMS. lawes for to rinne. Out of riht wey þat þei ne go ÞeMS. Ne feet of weyferynde, Þat vs sore greueþ remoue also, Þe burþun of hem þat synde.

Ad dominum cum tribularer clamaui: et exaudiuit me.Ps. 119 (120).

Aue de qua prodiit potens aduocatus, Culpe qui determinat veteres reatus; Cuius patrocinio noster incolatuscf. Ps. 119, v. 5. Transeat in gloriam melioris status. Heil fro whom passed forþ ful fre AnMS. And aduoket mihti, Þat determyned wiþ humilite Vr olde dedes gulti; Þorwh his help wiþ-outen mis We þat dwellen heer al maate, Beo we translated in to blis Of wel better state.

LEuaui oculos meos in montes, vnde ueniet auxilium michi.Ps. 120 (121).

Aue virgo regia, mundi luminare, Cece mentis tenebras potens propulsare: Nos in montem doceas oculos leuare Quo con[s]cendit Abraham, iussus immolare. Heil þou kynges Mayden wrouht, Of þis world þou art liht: Þe derknes of vr blynde þouht Put þou a-wey wiþ miht; Tech us in to þat hul wiþ game Vr eȝen lufte on alle wyse, In to whuche steih Abrahame I-beden do sacrifice.

LEtatus sum in hijs que dicta sunt michi: inPs. 121 (122). domum domini ibimus.

Aue que leticiam mundo retulisti Cum in verbo gracie verbum genuisti; Qui cum nos preceperit ad tribunal sisti, Ab auditu faciat non pauere tristi. Heil þou, þat ioye and glad face To þe world hast told, Whon þat þou in þe word of grace Brouht forþ a word ful bold; ÞeMS. To whuche whon he us bidde cum schal To-fore his Mageste, Of serwhful heryng boþe gret and smal Vs nouht to drede mak he.

Ad te leuaui oculos meos, qui habitas in celis.Ps. 122 (123).

Aue virgo thalamus summi facta ducis; Que de noctis tenebris miseros educis: Nostre mentis oculos leues a caducis, Vt intendant radio sempiterne lucis. Heil Mayden maade chaumbre briht Of Duyk þat sit an heih; Þow out of derknesse of niht Wrecches ledest wel sleih: Þe eȝen of vr inward þouht Lyft vp from slideri þinge, Þat hit take hede wiþ al þe miht To lyht euer-lastynge.

NIsi quia dominus erat in nobis, dicat nunc israel, nisi quia dominus erat in nobis.Ps. 123 (124).

Aue virgo, gracie mater affluentis, Per quam cedit strepitus populi furentis: Muni queso fortiter pedes nostre mentis, Vt torrentem transeant aqueMS. aquam uehementis.cf. Ps. 125, v. 5. Heil Mayden, and Modur eke Of grace, flowynge as flood, Þorwh whom is maad boþe softe and meke Þe noyse of peple wood: We prey þe, kepe þou strongliche here Þe feet of [vr] þouhtes longe, Þat we mowe passe þe Riuere Of þe watur stronge.

Qui confidunt in domino, sicut mons syon; non com|mouebitur in eternum qui habitat in ierusalem.Ps. 124 (125).

Aue mons sanctissime speculacionis, In quo nostra sita est spes ascencionis: A carnalis strepitu nos commocionis Liberando, filios fac adopcionis. Heil hul ful heih of met Of holiust beo-holdyng, In whom vr hope is hollich set Of vre vp-steihȝing: ffrom al flescliche lykynge And eke commocion Diliuere us, þi sones makynge So of adopcion.

IN conuertendo dominus captiuitatem syon, facti sumus sicut consolati.Ps. 125 (126).

Aue Mater affluens pacis vbertate, ffucta consolacio plebis captiuate: Nos ad portum applicans pacis preoptate, Plena plene perfrui presta libertate. Heil Modur euer flowyng Wiþ ful plente of pes; Þou art maad al counseylyng (!) Of wrecches wiþ-outen lees: Bring us to þat hauene hom Of pees þat we desyre, And ȝiue us alle ful fredom— ffor þat is vre best hyre.

NIsi dominus edificauerit domum, in vanum labo|rauerunt qui edificant eam.Ps. 126 (127).

Aue domus regia, quam edificauit Rex qui pacis gaudia mundo nunciauit; Qui dum fortis atria forcior intrauit, ffortem ligans spolia fortis asportauit. Heil kynges hous ful gay, Þe whuche a kyng haþ buylded Þat prince is of pees al-way And ioye to world haþ schewed; Þe whuche strengore in to þe halle Entred of þe stronge, Þe stronge byndyng he tok preies alle Þat he hedde holden longe.

BEati omnes qui timent dominum, qui ambulant in viis eius.Ps. 127 (128).

Aue Mater domini, genitrix beata, ffiliorum filijs plene uenustata:cf. Ps. 127, v. 6. Da timere dominum mente tranquillata, Vias nostras dirigens eius ad mandata. Heil Modur of þe lord so gent, Of sones bringere forþ, Wiþ sones mad feir verrement Þou art fulliche, and worþ: Graunt us alle vr lord to drede Wiþ þouht peisiblement; Vr weys loke þei ben dressede To kepe his maundement.

Sepe expugnauerunt me a iuuentute mea, dicat nunc israel.Ps. 128 (129).

Aue per quam uiribus hostes destituti Inbecilles facti sunt, debiles & muti: Nostre, uirgo, quesumus prospice saluti, Vt fiamus iugiter te tuente tuti. Heil þorwh whom heore strengþes alle Vr enemys han lost, Vn-welde aren made and doun ek falle, ffeble and doumbe of bost: We preye þe, Mayden, swetliche, To vr hele tak hede; Mak vs siker verreyliche Of þi defence at nede.

DE profundis clamaui ad te domine; domine exaudi uocem meam.Ps. 129 (130).

Aue floris baiula, cuius ad odorem Reuiuiscunt mortui: suscipe clamorem Ad te supplicancium, nosque per hunc florem Non pauere facias mortis ad honorem (!). Heil þou berere of þe flour, Of hos swete sauerynge Tornen to lyf in an hour Þe dede: take þe criinge Of þulke þat preyen her to þe, And make vs bi þat flour Nouȝt to drede, but glad to beeor. beo Of deþ wiþ good honour.

Domine, non est exaltatum cor meum, neque elati sunt oculi mei.Ps. 130 (131).

Aue cuius detulit rex humilitati Cum te verbi thalamum fecit incarnati; Qui pro nobis offerens se captiuitati Captiuatos reddidit prime libertati. Heil to whos humilite Þe kyng so wolde obesch Þat þe chaumbre he made þe Of word þat is mad flesch; Þat him-self offred for vs And tok vr caytyf dom, Whon he ȝaf vs ful glorios Aȝeyn to furste fredom.

Memento domine dauid, & omnis mansuetudinis eius.Ps. 131 (132).

Aue iesse uirgula, per quam exibetur Quod de dauid semine pater pollicetur: Per te quidem gracie tempus adimpletur, Quia per te filijs pater miseretur. Heil ȝerde of Iesse good of pith, Þorwh whom is be-tyd Þat to þe seed of Dauid Sum-tyme þe fader heted: Þorwh þe þerfore þe tyme of grace ffolfulled is, serteynly, ffor þorwh þe in vche place ffadur of sones hath merci.

Ecce quam bonum & quam iocundum habitare fra|tres in vnum.Ps. 132 (133).

Aue stella gracie stillans vnccionemcf. Ps. 132, v. 2. Que nostrarum mencium firmat vnionem: Nos vnitos mutuam per dilexionem Vite presta consequi benediccionem. Heil, of grace þou art sterre AnMS. And oynement droppynge, Þat, for vr þouhtes schulde not erre, Makestr. makeþ studefast onynge: Vs alle on and of on wille To-gedere wel liuynge, Mak vs, ladi, come þe tille And of lyf haue blessynge.

Ecce nunc benedicite dominum, omnes serui domini.Ps. 133 (134).

Aue nostrum gaudium, nostre spes salutis, Celi scandens solium gradibus virtutis:refers to the title (Canticum graduum). Queso fer presidium noxia secutis, Et a nobis excute iugum seruitutis. Heil ioye of vs euerichon, Hope of old hele and newe, Steying vp to heuene-tron Be de-grees of vertue: Euere vs to helpe þou beo aboute, ffor we han ben outrage; And eke from vs loke þou schake oute Þe harde ȝok of bondage.

LAudate nomen domini, laudate serui dominum.Ps. 134 (135).

Aue cuius filius gracie preconem Nondum natus docuit exultacionem: Doce nos per uicij supplantacionem Ad beatam tendere cristi visionem. Heil whos sone, ar he weore bore, To make ioye him tauhte Þat schulde prechynge go him beo-fore, In wombe whon modur him auhte. Teche vs vices to don a-way And eke al vuel list, Þat we atteyne euere and ay To þe blessed siht of crist.

COnfitemini domino, quoniam bonus, quoniam in eternum misericordia eius.Ps. 135 (136).

Aue virgo generans per quem liberatur Israel, & pharao persequens necatur.cf. Ps. 135, v. 15. Soluat quisque gracias & confiteatur Quod hic mirabilia solus operatur. Heil Mayden, þou bar þat seynt Þat dilyuered Israel, And Pharao, suwyng hem, dreynt, And his peple eueridel. Worschipeþ God now euerichon, And knowhlecheþ hertely Þat he con worche wondres al-on, ffor he is Almihti.

Super flumina babilonis, illic sedimus et fleuimus, dum recordaremur syon.Ps. 136 (137).

Aue per quam principe uicto Babilonis Cantica resumimus iubilacionis: Per materne graciam miseracionis Reduc nos in patriam repromissionis. Heil þorwh whom þe Prince so strong Ouercom his= is of Babilon, And we han taken vp þe song Of Iubilacion: Þorwh grace of þe Merci fre Of þy Moodurhede so swete Lede vs aȝeyn to þe cuntre Þat vs alle is by-hete.

COnfitebor tibi domine in toto corde meo, quoniam audisti verba oris mei.Ps. 137 (138).

Aue Mater inclita, que sine pudoris Tactu nostri mater es facta saluatoris: Te laudantes muniat intus atque foris, Per te qui remedium nostri fit doloris. Heil Modur deore wiþ honour, Þat wiþ-outen schame Maad Modur art of vr saueour, And þat is þi riht name. Keep he wel hem þat þe don herye, Wiþ-inne and eke wiþ-oute, Þorwh þe þat is remedie Of vr serwes al-aboute.

Domine, probasti me & cognouisti me; tu cognouisti sessionemMS. sensionem meam & resurrexionem m[eam.]Ps. 138 (139).

Aue cuius filius habitu mendici Carnem gerens similem carni peccatrici Quasi dolo repulit dolos inimici, Cum se mortis legibus passus est addici. Heil whos sone so deore In pore monnes cloþing, Beryng flesch among us here Lyk to vr flesch takyng,r. synnyng? And so queyntelich a-wey put he Vr Enemyes tricherye, Whon he him-self soffred to be Iugged þen forte dye.

Eripe me domine ab homine malo; A uiro iniquo eripe me.Ps. 139 (140).

Aue Mater filij cuius ad congressum Mors eructa penitus abit in secessum:MS. cecessum Nos a malis eripe, nostre mentis gressum Ad paterne dirigens dextere consessum. Heil Modur of þe Sone, At whos hard batayle Deth outurliche was ouercome And put a-louh saunȝ fayle: Liuere us from vueles heer in londe, And þe steppes of vr þyn[kyn]gMS. þyng Dresse þou, on þe ffadres riht honde And make þer vre sittyng.

Domine, clamaui ad te, exaudi me; intende uoci mee dum clamauero ad te.Ps. 140 (141).

Aue per quam deitas carne palliatur, Vt ad vite semitas exul reducatur: Nostra sicMS. sit oracio per te dirigatur, Vt succedens accio uitam consequatur. Heil þorwh whom þe godhed is Clad in flesch of Monkynde, To bringe aȝeyn to lyf, i-wis, Þe flemed and put be-hynde: Vr Orison nou euer-mo So dressed beo þorw þe, Þat vr dedes suwynge also Gete vs lyf of Charite.

UOce mea ad dominum clamaui; uoce mea ad dominum deprecatus sum.Ps. 141 (142).

Aue de qua prodiens gigas manu fortis Dormientes excitat a sopore mortis: Redde nos consorcio celice cohortis, Vt sit cum uiuentibus locus nostre sortis. Heil from whom forþ goynge Þe geaunt of hond so strong, Þatom. þat wel a-wakeþ þe slepynge Of sleep of deþ so long: Bryng us a-ȝeyn to cumpaygnye Of felawschipe of heuene, Þat wiþ hem þat lyuen murie Vr place beo maad ful euene.

Domine, exaudi oracionem meam, auribus percipe obsecracionem meam, in veritate tua exaudi m[e].Ps. 142 (143).

Aue Mater, suscipe preces quas effundo Grauis, sterquilinij mersus in profundo; Munda cordis thalamum, hauriens a fundo Sordes quibus ceteris amplius habundo. Heil Modur, tak wiþ mekenes Preyeres þat i out helde, Þat dreynt am in depnes Of dunghul, and am vnwelde; Clanse þe chaunbre of myn herte, Drawyng from þe grounde ffulþus þe whuche make me smerte, Of whuche I ful abounde.

Benedictus dominus deus meus, qui docetMS. doceȝ manus meas ad prelium, & digitos meos ad bellum.Ps. 143 (144).

Aue de qua nascitur puer Naȝareus, Per quem dum in prelio ruit philisteus,Goliath Vite spem concipiens gaudet homo reus, Voce clamans: "libera benedictus deus." Heil, for þe child of Naȝareþ Boren was feir of þe, Þorwh whom, as þe bok seiþ, Slayen was þe philistéé; Hope of lyf þer-of takyng Gulti mon wiþ glad mood, "Dilyuere me," wiþ voys criȝying, "I-blessed beo, vr god."

Exaltabo te, deus meus rex, & benedicam nomini tuo in seculum & in seculum seculi.Ps. 144 (145).

Aue de qua prodijt rex vniuersorum, Regnum cuius omnium regnum seculorum: Rege nos & applica cetibus eorum Quorum summa gloria laus est eternorum. Heil þou from whom riht forþ went Kyng of gret and smalle, Whos kyngdom is verreyment Kyngdom of worldus alle: Gouerne and applye aftur þis Vs to heore cumpaygnye Of whuche þe heiȝeste ioye is Euer-lastyng þyng to herye.

LAuda anima mea dominum: laudabo dominum in uita mea, psallam deo meo quamdiu fuero.Ps. 145 (146).

Aue per quam populi factus est adiutor Rex qui dicit "ego sum deus, & non mutor"; Qui per mortis semitas mortis persecutor ffit collator glorie, libertatis tutor. Heil, þorwh þe anMS. and helper good Nou to þe peple is maad, Þe kyng þat seiþ "I am god, Nouȝt chaungynge, but al sad"; Þat beo þe steppes of deþ is Ofom. Of deþes pursuwere I-maad þe ȝiuere of blis, Of freodam defendere.

Laudate dominum quoniam bonus est psalmus; deo nostro sit iocunda decoraque laudacio.Ps. 146 (147).

Aue cuius laudibus laus est delectari, Cuius nos confidimus partu salutari PostMS. Per hanc vitam glorie palma coronari, Si velimus domino pie conformari. Heil in whos heryinge Gret dilyt men haue; Þorwh hos heleful childynge We bi-leeuen to beo saue And [after] þis lyf corouned to be Wiþ þe palm of blis, Ȝif to þe lord of al pite We us conforme as his.

Lauda Ierusalem dominum, lauda deum tuum syon.Ps. 147 (147, 12).

Aue mater gracie, iugi laude digna, Per quam uictis hostibus ruit ars maligna: Captiuatis exibe pietatis signa, Nosque post exilium patrie resigna. Heil Moder wiþ grace Inome, Worþi worschiped to be, Þorwh whom enemys ben ouercome And craft of malyngnite: To caytiues heer now wiþ good wil Of Pitéé scheuh þow þe signe, And vs þen aftur þis exil To good cuntre resynge.

LAudate dominum de celis, Laudate eum in ex|celsis.Ps. 148.

Aue per quam tollitur hominum pressura, Cuius laudes reboat omnis creatura: Laudes quas offerimusMS. offerrimus acceptare cura, Nos beatitudine ditans permansura. Heil þorwh whom a-wey is don Of monkynde oppressure; Whos heryinges alouwed don sum (!) Al-Maner creature: Þe heryinges þat we offren to þe, Tac good heede hem to take; In blessedhed þat euer schal be Riche men to dwelle vs make.

COnfitebor tibi, domine, quoniam iratus es michi, conuersus est furor tuus & consolatus es me.Canticles: Confitebor Isai. 12.

Aue fons clemencie venieque uena, Per quam nobis redditur uite cantulena: A peccati[s] solue nos & peccati pena, Et beatitudinis perduc ad amena. Heil welle of mekenes, certeyn, Veyne of forȝiuynge, Þorwh whom to us is ȝiuen aȝeyn Þe song of lyf to synge: Of sunnes vnbynd us euerichone, And of peyne of synne, And to þat place þou lede us sone Þer Ioye and blisse is Inne.

Ego dixi: in dimidio dierum meorum vadam ad portas inferi.Isai. 38,10 (Song of Ezechias).

Aue laus fidelium, iubar sanctitatis, Domini triclinium, tronus magestatis: Placa nobis filium precibus beatis, Seruos tuos munerans dono libertatis. Heil heriinge of trewe men, Of holynesse þe clarte; Vr lordes chaumbre men þe callen, Trone of þe Maieste: Pese þou to us þi sone so dere Wiþ preyeres of pite, Rewardynge þi seruauns here Wiþ ȝiftus of liberte.

Exultauit cor meum in domino & exaltatum est cornu meum in deo meo.1 Regum 2 (Song of Anna).

Aue celi gloria, terre fundamentum, Cuius fit in utero continens contentum: Tue nobis gracie prestet incrementum Quod ad tue scribimus laudis monumentum. Heil, þou art þe blisse of heuene, Of eorþe þe foundement; Whos wombe is maad wiþ mylde steuene Conteynyng þat is content. Of þi grace graunte nou encresynge To vs euerichon Þat writen to þi worschipynge Wiþ god deuocion.

The following part has a separate Title in the Index: Cantemus domino gloriose.C[a]ntemus domino: gloriose enim honorificatus est, equum & ascensorem deiecit in mare.Exod. 15 (Song of Moses).

Aue virgo generans moris fracto iure, De qua gigas prodijt gemine nature: Tu miserta miseris subueni pressure, Nos in lucem transferens glorie uenture. Heil Mayden child beryng gent— Comuyn maner þer was be-hynde; ffor a Geaunt from þe forþ went Þat is of double kynde: On wrecches haue merci wiþ miht, Help hem from oppressynge, And translate us in to þe liht Of blisse þat is comynge.

Domine, audiui audicionem tuam et timui.Song of Habac. 3.

Aue virgo supplices potens exaudire: Que sunt deo placita fac nos tecum scire, Et cum iudex uenerit atque dies ire, Iudicis ad dexteram iube nos uenire. Heil Mayden, mihti of mood Meoke mennes preyeres to here: Þinges þat ben lykyng to god Wiþ þe knowe we in-feere. Whon þe Iuge schal come ful grim, And day of wraþþe and doom, On þe Iuges riht hond to hym Comaunde us þenne to cum.

Audite celi que loquor, audiat terra verba oris mei.Deuter. 32 (Song of Moses).

Aue nostri generis parens & patrona, Supra cunctas possidens graciarum dona: Tuis sanctis precibus meritisque dona Ne mens nostra solitum sit in malum prona. Heil kynnes-wommon of vr kynde, Vr patrun in vche place, Of alle wymmen þou art hauynde Ȝiftus alle of grace: Wiþ [þi] holy preyer [&] deseruyng Gete us nou witerly Þat vr þouht beo not to vuel doyng, As hit is wont, to redi.

TE deum laudamus, TE dominum confitemur.Te Deum.

Aue cuius filio cetus angelorum "Sanctus" clamant iugiter: nos a uiciorum Labe munda; perfrui in regno celorum ffac nos cum feli[ci]bus premijs iustorum. Heil to whos sone so dere Angeles Cumpaygnye "Sanctus" crien wiþ vois ful clere, Bisiliche and heihe. ffrom vices clans vs eueridel; Þe kyndom eke of heuene Mak us haue, wiþ seintes to dwel— Gete us þat wiþ Mylde steuene.

Benedicite omnia opera domini domino, laudate & superexaltate eum in secula.Benedicite (in the Service of Morning Prayer).

Aue dei genitrix! laudes acceptare Cura quas offerimus, nosque presentare Per has deo satagas, ut cum iudicare Venerit, nos ouibus uelit aggregare. Heil godus Modur! nou at þe last Tac þou vre heryinge Þat we offren to þe so fast; To God vs presentynge Þorwh þi pitéé, beo þou bysi, Whon he schal come to dome, Þat he us gedere for his merci Wiþ his schep to beo nome.

Benedictus dominus deus israel, quia uisitauit & fecit redempcionem plebi sue.Benedictus (Song of Zacharias) Luc. 1, 68.

Aue deum pariens, quem pater preconis Benedicens predicat resurrexionis Cornu quod promiserat erecturum bonis;Luc. 1, 69. Ad quod nostros dirigat pedes racionis. Heil Mayden clene, God beryng, Whom ȝakarie to-foren Preched, him fulli blessyng, Of vp-risyng beo horn, To goode men þat beo-het To a-rise boþe more and lesse. Þat he of resun vre feet Þerto, þow preye, he dresse.

MAgnificat anima mea dominum.Magnificat. Luc. 1, 40.

Aue cuius anima mutuo letata Dominum Magnificat, plus humiliata Quo fitr. fis maior generans deum; hinc beata Diciturr. diceris a seculis, felix ad hoc nata. Heil whos soule wiþ a word Wel gladed of Message, Magnifieþ vr aller lord, Þerfore meked in ȝong age. Þorwh þat mekenes þou were mad gret, God þou beere þerfore; Of þe world þou art seid and met Blessed and sely bore.

Nunc dimittis seruum tuum, domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace.Nunc Dimittis (Song of Simeon) Luc. 3,29

Aue cuius filius templo presentatur, Salutare gencium seni reuelatur, Sicque petit postmodum paci dimittatur— Que nostris laboribus tandem conferatur. Heil, to þe temple whos sone is Presented feir and bolde, Helþe of folk schewed was i-wis To Simeon þe Olde; To pees him lafte he þouhte saunȝfayl, Wheþer he schulde dye or liue. To us þat pees aftur vre trauayl ffor euere beo hit I-ȝiue.

Quicumque vult saluus esse, ante omnia opus est ut teneat catholicam fidem.Quicumque vult (Athanasian Creed).

Virgo sancta, suscipe mentis in conclaui Verba quibus tociens veniam rogaui, Et audito sepius aue tam suaui ffac me queso liberum prorsus a ue graui. Holy Mayden, tak þou goodly Of þouht in priuete Þe wordes þorwh whuche so bisyli fforȝifnes i aske of þe, And heer þe word þat i ofte sey, Þat is þe swete Aue; Mak me freo, nou I þe prey, ffrom heui serwe to be. AMEN. [XXIV. Psalterium b. Mariae,Title in the Index: ffyfty salutaciouns to vre lady by þis word: Aue, Heyl be þou, &c. The Latin poem is mentioned by Mone, l. c. II, p. 257; another MS. is MS. Reichen. 36. In the MS. the poem follows No. XXVIII, but I place it here, because of its affinity to the preceding poem.ascribed to Thomas Aquinas, comprising the 50 first psalms.] AVe uirgo uirginum, per quam uir beatusBeatus vir is the beginning of Ps. 1.Ps. 1. Visitauit miseros, nobis ex te natus: Tu[is], Mater, meritis nostras miseratus Releuet miserias, deleat reatus. Heil Mayde cheef of alle, Þorw whom þe blessed Mon Of þe born was In a stalle, Vs wrecches so visyte con: Modur, þorw þi worþinesse He mote vs so releue, Þat of vre gret wrecchednesse Þe gult no more vs greue. Ave cristi domini mater illibata,Ps. 2. Cuius est hereditas in gen[te]s translata:cf. Ps. 2, v. 8. Ne nos ab hac dirimant conscios peccata, Cum furor exarserit,cf. Ps. 2, v. 13. subueni beata. Heil Modur In Mariage Of crist vr lord Ihesu, Of whom is flit þe heritage Til vs of gret vertu: Þat us from hit not twinne Vre synnes þat we knowe, Help, ladi wiþ wynne, Whon wraþþe schal brenne and lowe. AVe cuius filius mortis per soporemPs. 3. Resurgentis meruit corporis honorem;cf. Ps. 3, v. 5. Quem per mortem colimus mortis destructorem, Colamus post funera uite collatorem. Heil of whom þe sone so dere ffrom slep of deþes stour In bodi and soule boþe ifere He ros wiþ gret honour. His deþ we worschipe nou i-wis, Vre deþ for hit con struye; Such lyf he graunte vs Þat deþ no more vs nuyȝe. AVe verbi thalamus, de quo cum exiuit,Ps. 4. Voces inuocancium cristus exaudiuit: Consignet et muniat, sibi quos vniuit, Qui nos sui lumine vultus insigniuit.cf. Ps. 4, v. 7. Heil of Crist þe chaumber derne, Wher-of whon he out ede, Þe vois of hem þat called ȝerne He herde wiþ ful gret spede: Til him-self he so vs Merke, And schilde vs also, Þat þorw his lyht from þe derke To-gedere mote we go. AVe templum fidei, domus sanctitatis,cf. Ps. 5, v. 8.Ps. 5. Summe tabernaculum facta maiestatis: Scuto nos premuniens bone voluntatiscf. Ps. 5, v. 13. Coronet in patria cristus cum beatis.MS. beatus Heil þe temple of vre feiþ, Hous of holynesse, And þe logge, as dauid seiþ, I-mad of gret hihnesse: Wiþ his scheld vs schilde mote he Of his owne good wille, Wiþ hem vs coroune in his cuntre Þat blesset ben, from ille. AVe mater gracie, graciarum plena,Ps. 6. Tu spes penitencie, venieque vena: A culparum nexibus soluens & a pena Ad celestis patrie transfer nos amena. Heil Modur ful of grace, Þi grace may I not leyne; To repentaunt þou getest space, Of Merci þou art þe veyne: Of alle þe bondes of vre synne Vn-bynd vs, from vr peyne, To þe blisse þat þou art Inne So mote we atteyne. AVe per quam particeps nostre factusMS. factis sortisPs. 7. Deus iudex iustus est, paciens & fortis:cf. Ps. 7, v. 12. Nos auertens reuocet a gehenne portis,MS. mortis Euasuros gladium, arcum, uasa mortis.cf. Ps. 7, v. 13, 14. Heil þorw whom partiner God is of vre chaunce, Þat Iuge is rihtwys fer andMS. ferand ner And vs may wel a-vaunce: He mote vs torne and calle a-ȝeyn ffrom þe ȝate of helle, ffrom Bouwe and swerd, þat, as men seyn, Of deþ ben deop vesselle. AVe per quam angelis se minorem fecitcf. Ps. 8, v. 6.Ps. 8. Cum se dei filius nostris interiecit, Cuius pater pedibus omnia subiecit,cf. Ps. 8, v. 8. Ex ore lactencium laudem cum perfecit.cf. Ps. 8, v. 3. Heil bi whom, to þe ffader euene, Crist hym-self maade lesse Þen þe Angeles þat ben in heuene, Til vs hym-self con dresse; And ȝit þe fader put alle þinge In his sones pouweere, Whon he schewed his heryinge Bi hem þat soukynge were. AVe Syon filia, de qua legislatorcf. Ps. 9, v. 21.Ps. 9. Nobis constitutus est, saun[c]tus & saluator: Inimicum conterat fortis expugnator, Dei iam & hominum factus mediator. Heil of syon douhter briht, Of whom wiþ gret honour Þe lawe-ȝiuere til vs was diht, Þe holy sauiour: Vre enemy mot he al to-drawe, Þat stronge werreour, Of God and Mon þat is bi lawe A skilful Mediatour. AVe mons iusticie in quem transmigratur,Ps. 10. Vt in cristi nomine tota spes ponatur; A quo cuius vterus dum inhabitatur, Templum sanctum domini celumque vocatur.MS. vacatur cf. Ps. 10, v. 5. Heil þou hul of Rihtwysnesse, To whom þe wey is caste, Vre hope inMS. and cristes holynesse Stabliche to faste; In þi wombe whon he wolde dwelle, He schewede ful gret loue; Þe holy temple men miht hit telle And heuene of God a-boue. AVe uiri nescia virgo singularis,Ps. 11. Que salutem angelo salutante paris: Opem fer, presidij stella salutaris, Ne sanctus deficiatcf. Ps. 11, v. 1. inter fluctus maris. Heil vnknowen to Monnes moon, Mayden wiþ-outen make; Whon þe Angel þe grete con, Vre hele bi-gon to wake: Þin help and þi swete socour, Þat we han ofte bi-souht, Þou graunte, þat in þe sees stour Þe holy ne fayle nouht. AVe per quam dominus nostri non oblitusPs. 12. Ne[c] auertens faciem, nobis est vnitus: Purus mentis oculus sit & expeditus, Ne vmquam obdormiat in morte sopitus.cf. Ps. 12, v. 4. Heil bi whom þe lord of grace Vs haþ not for-ȝeten Ne tornd a-wey his feire face ffrom vs, neor not forleten: Myn Eȝe beo cler, þat hit not wepe, Of my soule so briht, And neuer-more mote hit slepe To deþ forte be diht. AVe quam magnifice laudant vniuersa,Ps. 13. Vero sapiencie lumine respersa: Senciat & sapiat mens ad te conuersa Quod per te captiuitas gentis est auersa.cf. Ps. 13, v. 7. Heil whom þei preisen hollich Alle þat I con nemene, ffor þou art douwet richelich Wiþ þe liht of heuene: Vre þouht to þe beo torned so Þat hit may fele and saye Þat wrecchednesse from folk is gon And torned al a-waye. AVe cuius filius mons est sancte spei,Ps. 14. ffactus tabernaculum uere requiei: ffac vt per iusticiam in-herentes ei Letemur in gloria coheredes dei. Heil, þi sone of gret Miracle Is hul of holy hope, Of reste he is vr tabernacle, To schilde vs from reyn-drope: Do, ladi, þorw þi rihtwysnesse In him þat we mowe reste As heyres of his blisfulnesse— Þat wol be vr beste. AVe per quam reddita spes est desperatis,Ps. 15. Quibus est hereditas restituta gratis:cf. Ps. 15, v. 5. Verus factus hostia cristus pro peccatis Pars sit nostri calicis, pars hereditatis.cf. Ps. 15, v. 5. Heil þorw whom to gret vauntage Crist wolde vs restore, To hope of vre heritage Þat was from vs forlore; ffor he was mad þe offringe ffor vre synnes fele, And part was of vre suffrynge, Part til vs to dele (!). AVe cuius vterum cristus cum intrauit,Ps. 16. Igne sancti spiritus cor examinauitcf. Ps. 16, v. 3. Et vt mater fieres dignam approbauit: Per te nos respiciat qui te visitauit. Heil, wiþ-oute pomp or bost Þi wombe whon crist com Inne, Wiþ fuir of þe holigost Assayet þin herte wiþ gynne, And þat þou schuldest his Moder beo fful worþi he þe fonde: Þorw þe he mote vs al bi-seo Þat visited vs so in londe. AVe cuius filius celos inclinauit,cf. Ps. 17, v. 10.Ps. 17. Tibi cum altissimi virtus obumbrauit:cf. Luc. 1, 35. Nos in celum subleuet saluans quos creauit, Per te qui terrigenis se contemperauit. He[i]l to whom þi sone, þe beste, Heuene bouwed doun lowe, WhonMS. Whom þe vertu of aller-hexte Bi-schadewed þe al, I trowe: In to heuene he mot vp lifte Vs þat were for-lore, Þat him-self so wolde schifte Among þat in eorþe weor bore. AVe cuius vterum regum rex ingressus,Ps. 18. Vt sponsus de thalamo cristus est egressus; Sic de tabernaculoMS. tabernaculum solis sol progressus,cf. Ps. 18, v. 5, 6. Nos in viam dirigat, corrigensMS. dirigens excessus. Heil whos wombe þe sauiour, Kyng of alle, we Rede, As a Brid out of his bour Crist him-self out eode, As þe sonne in Morwtyd grey Ȝeode out of his tente, Tor. he? dresse vs in to Rihte wey, Þat we be not forschente. AVe que auxilium de sanclo misisti,cf. Ps. 19, v. 2.Ps. 19. Dum sancta sanctissimum digne concepisti: Nostra sit saluacio fides vera cristi, Quem fide concipiens virgo genuisti. Heil, þat help from holi place Þou sendest to Monkynde, Whon þou holy bi godus grace Conceyuedest in þi Mynde Him þat was most holy, Þat is vr sauyour, In ffeiþ Conceyuedest verreyli And bar hym wiþ honour. AVe salutarium causa gaudiorum,Ps. 20. Pariens in tempore Regem seculorum, SitMS. Sint corona capitis gloria membrorum,cf. Ps. 20, v. 3. ffinis non deficiens summaque virorum. Heil vre gostly hele, And cause of al vre bliss, Þat bar þe kyng of wele Of al þis world I-wis. Whon þe hed is crouned feire, Alle þe limes ben fayne— Of heore worschip þat neuer schal peire, Þar vs neuer-more playne. Ave de qua prodiit deus humanatus,Ps. 21. Nostros pie perferens in se cruciatus, Propter nostra vulnera gratis vulneratus: Nostros suo sanguine deleat reatus. Heil from whom God almiht Went forþ verrey Mon, Peyne for vs and gret dispyt He soffred mony on, ffor vre woundes delfuly Woundet was he sore, His Blood vre gultes clanly Wusch for euer-more. AVe quam rex omnium Matrem preelegit,Ps. 22. Vt sis locus pascue gregi quam collegit: Virga sis & baculuscf. Ps. 22, v. 4. illis quos elegit, Vt iam nichil desitcf. Ps. 22, v. 1. his quos electos regit. Heil whom þe kyng of alle þing Haþ chose þeom. þe to ben his Dame, And to a folle pasturyng To his herde wiþ game: Ȝerde and staf þou artr. be boþe To hem þat he haþ chose, And nouȝt hem wante hem-self to loþe, He ruleþ hem nouȝt to lose. AVe terra glorie, terra quam fundauitPs. 23. Cum nobis rex glorie se contemperauit; Qui per mortem principes mortis triumphauit,cf. Ps. 23, v. 7. Nos a morte liberet morte quos saluauit. Heil of blisse þe riche lond, Þat foundet was bi reson Bi þe Ioyful kynges hond Þat to vs com in good seson, He þat þe prince of deþ Wiþ his deþ ouer-com And alle from þe harde Breþ Of deþ he vs out nam. AVe cuius filius dulcis est & rectus,Ps. 24. Vt reducat exules peregre profectus,cf. Ps. 24, v. 4, 5. Vere nobis gracie legifer efectus:cf. Ps. 24, v. 8, 12. In se nostros ordinet mores & affectus. Heil þi sone þat is so swete And rihtful of entent, Þe Outlawes synnes forte bete On pilgrimage he went; Til vs of grace certeyne Lawe-berer was i-kud: In vs he mote ordeyne Vre werkes and þouhtes hud. AVe queMS. quem dominicum circumdasMS. circumdans altarecf. Ps. 25, v. 6.Ps. 25. Concludens in vtero dei salutare: Nostra purgetMS. purgeþ crimina potens expiare, Pontifex & hostia sancte factus are. Heil þat of vr lord of heuene Þat Auter vmbiȝede, In þi wombe þou speredest heuene= euene Hele of god, vre mede, Of vre synnes clansyng Þat haþ ful pouwere; Þat Bisschop him-self is offring Of þe holy Autere. AVe Mater domini nos illuminantis,Ps. 26. Mater inquam filij per te nos saluantis: Tuis virgo meritis precibusque sanctis Mentis pelle tenebras ad te suspirantis. Heil modur of [þat] lord so mylde Þat lihtned vs alle ful schene, Þou art moder of þat childe Þat sauede vs alle bi-dene: Maide, þorw þi worþinesse And preyeres þat holy be, Put hem from þe derknesse Þat sikyng longen to þe. AVe pudicicie titulisMS. tutulus ornata,Ps. 27. Mater facta filij, sed inuiolata, Corporis materia illi ministrata Cuius iam refloruit caro suscitata.cf. Ps. 27, v. 7. Heil! of clene chastite Þe worschipe nis not luitel, ffor Modur and mayde þouh þou be, Worschipful is þat tytel. Þe mateer of þi swete bodi Crist, he tok of þe, And þouh he died delfuly, Aȝeyn to lyue ros he. AVe nostri generis decus sempiternum,Ps. 28. Cuius scandens filius solium paternum, Residens in dextera rex est in eternum:cf. Ps. 28, v. 10. Affectum supplicibus exibe maternum. Heil of vre kuynde, ladi, Worschipe wiþ-outen ende; Þi sone in to heuene stih, Þat is so good and hende, And on his ffader riht syde Sit for euere and O: A Moderes lappe þou open wyde To hem þat ben in wo. AVe de qua gaudium fulsit matutinum,cf. Ps. 29, v. 6Ps. 29. Quod detersit hominis fletum uespertinum, Per concessum corporis sanctum cilicinumcf. Ps. 29, v. 12. Redemptis aperiens paradisi sinum. Heil, of whom þe Morwenyng Ioyful schon and briht, Þat wiped awey vre wepyng On Euen and of niht; Wiþ þe bodi as a Sekke Þat is i-Maad of here, Of paradys he opened þe hekke To hem þat bouht were. AVe regis omnium ciuitas munita,cf. Ps. 30, v. 22.Ps. 30. Ciuitas ab angelis digne custodita, Virtutum mirifice gemmis insignita: In te nostrum gaudium, in te sitMS. sic spes sita. Heil þou kynges feir Cite, Walled wel a-boute, Wiþ angeles þat in heuene be I-kept, wiþ mony a route; Wiþ riche stones wonderly Of vertues þou art by-set: Vre Ioye in þe sikerly And vre hope ben met. AVe cui non inputans dominus peccatum,cf. Ps. 31, v. 2.Ps. 31. Partum dedit glorie fructumque beatum: Cor gerens & corporis decus illibatum, Erumpnosas contere spinas voluptatum. Heil to whom no-maner synne Vre lord a-rette con, Þat ȝaf a burþe of blisse wiþ-inne, Þe ffruit of Blod and bon; Herte wiþ-Inne nor bodi wiþ-oute Of ffulþe hedde no dispit: Þe woful þornes vs aboute Þow bruse of foul delyt. AVe cuius anima in deo laudatur,cf. Ps. 33, v. 2.Ps. 33. (Ps. 32 want|ing.) Benedicens dominum per quam exaltatur: Tuis, virgo, benedic, & benedicatur Per quamr. quem? benediccio facta predicatur. Heil whos soule worþily In god is fully preysed, In Blessynde god ful hihly Þorw whom þou art vp-reiset: Blesse alle þyne, Maiden dere, Þi-self also be Blesset, Þorw whom blessyng is preched here And from vs not lesset. AVe de qua voluit nasci rex virtutum,Ps. 34. Non abhorrens tangere carnis nostre lutum; Apprehendens iusticie arma syue scutumcf. Ps. 34, v. 2, 10. Hominem eripuit ope destitutum. Heil of whom he wolde be bore, Þe kyng of alle vertuwe, And wlated nouȝt to touche þerfore Vr fflesch of Cleyȝes huwe; Þer-of (!) he made him-self a scheld Priueliche to dare, fforte rescouwe in þe feld Mon of help ful bare. AVe fecundissime domus vbertatis,Ps. 35. Torrens indeficiens vere voluptatis. ffonte nos inebria sancte karitatis, Cor ad lumen exitans summe claritatis.cf Ps. 35, v. 9, 10. Heil þou hous bi niht and day, Þou artr. þat is of gret plente, And þe Brok þat rennes ay fful of likerouste: Þou fulle vs alle of þat welle fful of Charite, Þat vr hertes mouwe euer dwelle In Brihtnesse wiþ þe. AVe benignissima, nusquam malignari,Ps. 36. Nec in malignantibus uolens emulari; Cuius est in domino semper delectari:cf. Ps. 36, v. 4. Eius nos deliciis dona saciari. Heil of wymmen mylde most, Þat noldest no luþurnesse, Nor haddest in no luþur gost Loue nor swetnesse, But in vr lord þe lyked wel, And euer-more þou schal: Þerof þou graunte vs sum del, To fullen vs þer-wiþ-al. AVe mater vnicum generans dulcorem:Ps. 37. Venientis iudicis tempera furorem, Ne in ira senciam illum correptorem, Set vite perpetue per te largitorem. Heil Moder of þe newe gyse Þat bar þe swete childe: Whon he comeþ, þat hiȝe Iustise, ffrom his wraþþe vs schilde, Þat we fele not þat harde snibbyng Þat mony mon schal drede, But of þe lyf euer-lastyng Mote we han vr mede. AVe cui spiritus sanctus obumbrauit,Ps. 38. Dum carnis materiam caro ministrauit; Cum nostram substanciam sibi sociauit,cf. Ps. 38, v. 8. Ad suam nos gloriam deus exaltauit. Heil whom of þe holigost Þe schadewe haþ vmbicast, Of þi flesch, as wel þou wost, Þi sones flesch made in hast; Whon he vr kuynde in þat manere Tok to his felawe, To his Blisse þat is so dere On heiȝ he con vs drawe. AVe per quam reddita lux refulsit cecis,Ps. 39. Quam per Euam abstulit gustus ille necis: De lacu miserie & de luto feciscf. Ps. 39, v. 2. Nos educat meritum tue sancte precis. Heil þorw whom to þe blynde Liht schon ful feire, Þat Eue, Modur of vre kynde, Wiþ tast of deþ con peire: Out of þe Slouh of wrecchednesse And of þe dregge of cleye To lede vs to þi worþinesse, Þyn holi preyere seye. AVe beatissima per quam nos respexitPs. 40. Quando super pauperes deus intellexit; Egestatem hominis diues non despexit, Sed in nos carismatum munera conuexit. He[i]l blesset beo þi mood, Þorw whom God bi-held And on þe pore he vnderstod, In toune and in feld; Vre neode nolde he dispise, Þouh he were riche i-nouh, But in mony a wyse His Richesse to vs drouh. AVe quam fons glorie uoluit implere,Ps. 41. Vt in cristo fieres fons salutis uere: Nostre desiderium mentis intuere, Dans de plenitudine fontis nos gaudere. Heil whom þe welle of bliss Wolde fulle ful of wele, So þat þou weore Maad, i-wis, Þe welle of verrey hele: Vr þouhtes and vre ȝernynge, Ladi, þou so bi-holde Þat of þe welles springe We mouwe beo glad and bolde. AVe quam de gentibus dominus discreuit,Ps. 42. Cum in ventre uirginis verbum requieuit; Causam & c[h]yrographum pleniterMS. plenum deleuit Quam in primum hominem prima lex decreuit. Heil whom God specialy ffrom oþere wolde twynne, Whon he þi bodi priuely Wolde reste wiþ-Inne. Þe cause of Obligacion Þat vs to helle bond, He brac wiþ gret fuson Of his riht hond. AVe cuius uiscera cristum ediderunt,Ps. 43. Per quamr. quem? uicti subiacent qui nos afflixerunt: Salua nos in brachio, cuius uim senserunt Qui victrici dextere cristi restiterunt. Heil of whom þe holi gutte Crist haþ forþ sende, Bi whom þei ben vndurputteorig. vndurpotte Þat vs ȝerne wolde schende: Saue vs alle in his miht, Þat þei han ofte feled Þat wiþ-stonden aȝeyn þe riht Þe hond þat haþ hem greued. AVe stans ad dexteram domini Regina,Ps. 44. Quam ambit uarietas virtutum diuina:cf. Ps. 44, v. 10. Vide, regis filia, & aurem inclina, Natus ex te fructus sit nobis Medicina. Heil þat stondest neuer loþ On riht half of vr lord; Whom sondernesse vmbigoþ Of vertuwes in a-Cord: Bi-hold, þou douhter of þe kyng, And bouwe doun Ere þyne, Þe ffruit of þe spryngynge Beo vre Medicyne. AVe tabernaculum, quam sanctificauitPs. 45. San[c]torum sanctissimus, in te cum intrauit; Ex te nobis impetus fluminis manauit, Ciuitatem domini qui letificauit.cf. Ps. 45, v. 5. Heil þou tente for þe schour And for þe hete of Sonne, Whom god com in to þi bour, Wiþ þe for to wonne; ffrom þe to vs in gret plente Þe water ron a-flod Þat gladed al þe grete Cite— Wher-of we mowe þink good. AVe per quam filius dei cum descenditPs. 46. Nos in sui nominis amore succendit; Particeps substancie nostre cum ascendit,cf. Ps. 46, v. 6. Ascendendi pariter nobis spem inpendit. Heil þorw whom wiþ-oute blame God dounward wolde beende, In þe loue of his name Vre hertes forto teende; Of vre kuynde for he part hadde, Whon he steih vp in to Blis, Þe rihte wey he vs ladde— We hopen þider, i-wis. AVe magna domina & laudanda nimis,Ps. 47. Regis magni ciuitas, mons syon sublimis: Tu magna, tu predita meritis opimis, Tuos ad celestia transfer ab hijs imis. Heil þat art so gret ladi And gretlych artou preised, Cite of þe kyng þat [sit] on hih, Hul Syon vp-reised; Deserued þou hast gret Richesses Þat gostly ben, i trouwe: fflette us from þe wrecchednesses Þat we dwellen in so lowe. AVe per quam hominesMS hominis natos ad laboremPs. 48. Ad amissum reuocans dominus honorem, De nostra substancia sumptum carnis florem Ipsis fecit angelis in se celsiorem. Heil þorw whom, þat was boren Mon to gret vnreste, To þe worschipe þat he hedde lore Whon he was lik a Beeste, God restored hym a-ȝeyn And set Monkynde aboue Þe hexte Angeles, as we seyn— Þerfore we schulde him loue. AVe mater filio digna nascituro,Ps. 49. Corporis materiam ministrans passuro: PurgesMS. purgans consciencias, ut sicMS. sit corde puro Procedamus obuiam judici uenturo. Heil Modur most worþi To God þat schulde be bore, Of þe tok þe swete bodi Þat pyned was so sore; Þorw þat peyne he clensedr. clense vs so, Þat wiþ herte schene Sikerly we mou go Aȝeyn vr Iugge bi-dene. Ave nobis miserans, nostri miserere,Ps. 50. Quod misericordie mater dicta uere; Misereris omnium qui tuis scincere Laudibus & gaudijs gaudent inherere. Heil, of vs þou haue merci, Of Merci we þe prey, ffor Moder þou art witerly Of Merci, as we seye. Þou hast merci of hem alle Þat wiþ deuocioun And wiþ preisyng on þe calle, Þou herest heore Orisoun. [XXV. A salutacioun to vre lady.]So the title in the Index. MAyden, Modur, and comely Qween, Þat art in heuene and euer schal ben, Euere beo þou blessed, ffor þow sendes me help and grace, Whon I was in a place Þer Deth was to me dressed. Mi lyf I wende me hedde forsaken, And drery deþ to me taken, To make wiþ him to wone: Wiþ my tonge, als I couþe, I Criȝede, "Ladi, help me nouþe, Þow prey to þi swete sone!" Þi grace com to me þat day In to a Castel þer I lay, Men seide I was but ded; Ihesu, þat þou louedest dere, Com to me þorwh þi preyere In þe fourme of bred. Marie, of ioye þou berest þe pris, ffor þou art ȝate of paradis, Þer Ioye is Murie and long. ffeire Modur and Mayden swete, Wiþ fyue Ioyes I þe grete, Ladi, here my song. Aue Maria. HEil beo þow, Marie Modur of crist, Þat Conceyuedest him al wyth lyst, Ihesu þat was so mylde; He liht in to þe, soþ hit was, As dude þe Sonne þorwh þe Glas, And so þow wex wiþ chylde. Aue M. Heyl Marie, of Maydens þe flour, Þow beer Ihesu, vr sauiour, Wiþ-outen eny peyne. ffeir hit was, þat ilkeMS. ille burþe, Þat in his ȝ uþe made murþe Wiþ þi pappes tweyne! Aue.Some stanzas seem wanting. Heil Mayden, þat euer-more Schalt beo Qween, and hast ben ȝore, In heuene and in eorþe. Þeos ben foure of power most: ffadur, and Sone, and holygost, And þou, Ladi, þe feorþe. Aue. Heil gracious qween Mari, To þe vs neodeþ calle and cri Whon we ben sori and syke. Heil hele in halle and boure; Þou louest men þat þe honoure, Þi loue is euere i-like. Aue. Heil, sone boote þer bale is neih; Þauh þi wonynge beo an heih, Þou herknest to vs at nede. Heil rest to weri bones; Whon I was stoned wiþ harde stones, Þow halp wiþ-outen mede. Aue. Heil, to al Angeles Ioye and blis, Þow art Qwen þer, I wot, I-wis, Witnes of vr Bokes. Heil witti and wys of werkes, Þou drawest boþe prestes and Clerkes Out of þe fendes hokes. Aue. Heil fendes fo, feirest of alle! Þi Bed was In an Asse stalle Whon þi sone was Born. Heil weddet wyf and Mayden eke, Of þe þis holy prophetes speeke An hundred ȝer bi-forn. Aue. Heil mihtiest of MiddelMS. Mildel ert, Of þe þe fendes ben a-ferd And douten þe ful sore. Heil cumfort of Careful wyues; When þei ben ferd of heore lyues, Þou helpest hem euer-more. Aue. Heil chyld boren In Naȝareth, Þou beere a child þat to[c]MS. to þe deth, As alle trewe telle. Heil Godus Modur gentyl and good, Þour. þat let Adam and his blood Out of þe pit of helle. Aue. Heil Modur Merciabel, He is þi sone wiþ-outen fabel Þat alle þynge wot. Heil Meke marie of renoun, Þi sone haþ for vs I-leyd a-doun His herte-blood al hot. Aue. Heil Mari þat to vs hiȝes! Þi Modur bar þreo Maries— So feire hire beo-tydde; On was Marie Iacobe, And þat oþur Cleophe, And þou, ladi, þe þridde. Aue. Heil Marie, wiþ most honour Corouned qween in heuene-tour Bi-fore þy sones face; To alle neodful þou art couþ, Wel art þou cald wiþ Angeles Mouth, "Marie ful of grace." Aue. "Heil Marie ful of grace, Heil beo þou in vche a place, ffor god is laft wiþ þe." In heuene and eorþe þou beo honoured, ffor my lyf þou hast socoured And drawen deþ from me. Aue. Heil feirest of alle floures, A-postles,MS. Of postles Martires an Confessoures Þe for ladi calle; Heil brihtor þen þe sonne-beem, Þou beere Ihesu In Bedlehem, Wiþ Blood þat bouht vs alle. Aue. Heil feirest of alle landes, To god þou hef vp þyn handes Whon Gabriel þe grette. Heil clerore þen þe Cristal-ston, Þou art in heuene, Blood and Bon, ffor þer þi sone þe sette. Aue. Heyl Marie, Blessed kidde, A feir grace þe beo-tidde— Þi peere is nouhwher leued: God him-self þi bodi chees, To sitte wiþ him on his dees And bere Coroune on heued. Aue. Heil Marie as briht as day, Goddus sone wiþ-Inne þe lay His Burth to a-byde. Whon he was two and þritti ȝeer old, He fauht for men as kempe bold, And baar ful blodi syde. Aue. Heil Marie, þat art ay boun To kepe us from temptacion Of þe fendes Blake; Heil riche Qween of vche a toun, Þi sone haþ soffred passioun ffor al Monkynde sake. Aue. Heil briht Braunche of Rose rote, Of þe sprong a sauour swote Þat sauereþ ay so swete. Heil Modur of al-holy Chirche, And alle þat euere wol wysly worche, I rede þat heo þe grete. Aue. Heil Ioachyms Ioyful seed, Þou sayh whon Laȝarus was ded ffoure dayes and More; Bi-fore Martha and Magdeleyn Ihesu called him to lyue a-ȝeyn And for him rewed sore. Aue. Heil Marie, Mayden sleihe, Mony goode dedes þou seiȝe Of þulke þat Ihesu wrouhte: A Mon was ded and lay on Bere, His Moodur wiþ ful reuþful chere Grace at Ihesu souhte; Aue. Heil Marie, of gret pite, Ihesu for þe loue of þe Made þat wommon bliþe: To þe Bere he put his honde And bad þe Cors anon vp stonde; To lyue hit ros als-swiþe. Aue. Heil Mayden, heil þou, Alle þi Ioyes I may not nou In my song telle; Is mony an hundred ȝer a-gone Þou hast ben, ladi, queen þyn one Of heuene, Erþe and helle. Aue. Holy Mayden, wel þe be, Þat was at þe feste of Galyle, Þer was wanted wyn: Þi sone comaundet men in halle Wiþ watur fulle heor vessels alle By-fore Architriclyn; Aue. Heil Marie, þat sauh al þat: Whon Ihesu on þi Barm sat And blessed hit wiþ his honde, Al þe watur þat þer was brouht By-com red wyn al vn-souht, Þer nis no beter in londe. Aue. Heil semlokest vndur sonne, Þorwh þe was a werk by-gonne By-twene God and Mon; Blessed beo þou of alle wymmen, And þe fruyt of þi wombe, Amen, Þat such a werk bi-gon. Aue. — — Blessed beo, ladi, þyn holy nome, Þat schilde[s]MS. And schilde vs from synne and schome, And Makes þe fend vnglad; Þer þat nempned is Mari, Þe fendes by-gynnen a-wei to fly And diȝeþ neih for drad. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þyn heued aboue, Þer god hath schewed his moste loue On heih riht in his halle: Þe Coroune of heuene þer-on is set, Wiþ alle þe Angeles þou art gret As ladi of hem alle. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þatr. þi witti Brayn: Þou hast maad þe fend vn-fayn Þat deope in helle sit; Monnes soules þat weore lost, Þou beer a child on þi Coste ffro helle-pyne haþ hem quit. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þat holy frount, Þat holy is holden and sount, Þe cheef of al þi face; Þer-in is set a bond of wit, Vndur þe croune comly knit Wiþ a louely lace. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi Brouwes bent: A feir grace God haþ þe sent, Þi lookyng is louely ay. Ladi, for þi louesum chere Prey þi sone, þat we mowe here Serue him to pay! Aue. Blessed be, ladi, þy Riht Ere: Þe holygost, he liht in þere fflesch and Blod to take; God sende his sone adoun, To soffre pine and passioun And faiht wiþ þe Drake. Aue. Blessed beo, Ladi, þyn oþur Ere, ffor hit herknes ay-where To Men þat haue to done; Þyn Ere is open at vre callyng: Whon we preye for eny þing, Vr erende comeþ sone. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, boþe þyn Eiȝen, Þat þreo kynges offringes seȝen Þat kneled þe by-fforen. Þou seost euer-more I-lyche Ioye and Blisse in heuene-riche— To godur hele þou weore boren! Aue. Blessed be,MS. be þou ladi, a-mong þi wittes Þi ffeire Neose, þat comely sittes Amidde þi frount bi-neþen. Ladi, for þe loue of Anastas Let vs seo þi feire ffaas, Whon we wenden heþen! Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, boþe þi chekes: Merci for vs to him þou sekes Þat þe for Modur Ches. Ladi, as þou art Modur mylde, ffrom worldus schome þou me schylde, And gete vs grith and pes! Aue. Ladi, I-blessed beo þi Mouth: Whon God þe sende in to þe south Þe Aungel Gabriel, Þow onswerdest Mekelych and sayde, "I am heer Godus hond-Mayde"— Þis word is in gospel. Aue. Blessed be, lady, þi trewe tonge: A-Mong wymmen olde and ȝonge Þat euerȝite han ben, So treowe I-founden was neuer non; ffor-þi þou art in Blod and Bon Corouned heuene-Qween. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi Chin I-chose: þer-on schal neuer mon lose To blesse hit niht and day; Hit schal reue him serwe and synne, And make him in his lyf to wynne Þe Ioye þat lasteþ ay. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi brihte neb-schaft— Of kuynde he couþe ful wel his craft Þat hit hedde entayled! Þe teres ron doun ofr. a? floode Whon þou seȝe þi sone on Roode, ffeet and hondes nayled. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi white sweere: Ihesu, þat þou louest deere, Clupped hit ofte a-boute. Whose wol his synne forsake And of þat cluppyng Ioye make, Hym þar no deueles doute. Aue. Blessed beo, lady, þi clere þrote: At neode euere þou dost vs note Whon Bale vs haþ I-bounde. Ladi, þou neuere woldest ȝelpe, Prey þi sone þat he vs helpe ffor his Blessede wounde! Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi scholdres two, And þi cleer Canel-bonus also Þat semely ben in siht: As kyng, kniht or Champioun ffor Men þou art redi-Boun Wiþ þe fend to fiht. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þyn Armes tweyne: In vche a gederyng þou art gayne To helpen vs at nede; Vr wo þou tornest to weole, And sauest vs from wreches fele— Blessed beo þou to Mede! Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, boþe þin hondes, Þat swaþeled him in swaþelyng-bondes Þat Monnes soule haþ wrouht, Heuene and helle and alle londes, ffisch and ffoul, Séé and Sondes, Al he maade of nouht. Aue. Blessed beo,MS. beo þou ladi, and feyre hem falle, Þi þhommes and þi ffyngres alle Þat genteliche are Maket, On eiþer hond wiþ ffyngres fyue; Þow þatr. Wiþ þat þow hondelet him on lyue Þat helle-fuir hasMS. was slaket. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi brihte Brest: Ihesu tok þer-inr. on? Rest, Mon of miht most. Was neuer non so clene of lyf As þow weore, boþe Mayden and wyf, To Resseyue þe holygost. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi stable herte: Whon þou seȝe þi sone smerte, Gret Care þou keptest; Whon þou sauh him Buffet and beten, Al his bodi of blood by-weten, No wondur þauh þou weptest. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi brihte wombe: Þer-in was þe holy Lombe Þat bouht Adam and Eue, And þe þridde day also blyue He ros vp fro deþ to lyue— Such is vre bi-leeue. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi softe sydes, In Ioye and blis þou vs abydes, Þer þou schalt beo founden; Þi sone vs bouhte wiþ Raunsoun And drouh vs out of dungoun, Þer Lucifer liht i-boundun. Aue. Blessed be, ladi, þi feire Bak, And þi leendes wiþ-outen lak, Þat dwellen ay in Blis. Ladi, for þi muchel honour Þin holy help and þy socour Let vs neuere mis! Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þy Maydenhede: Neuer was in þe sowen sede As of wommon-kynde; ffor-þi þou art coround Qween Of alle wymmen þat han I-ben Or euer schal Mon fynde. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi boþe þhiȝes, To help vs ay þat hiȝes ffrom þe vn-hold honde. Ladi, to þi sone vs dresse, And preye hym þat he vs blesse And mayntyme in sonde! Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi comely knen, Þat for vs alle kneolynge ben Boþe niht and day. Hit is but on vs I-long, Wheþer we worche ille or wrong, Hou we schul haue vr pay. Aue. Blessed [beo], ladi, alle beo-dene Þi Schonkes and þi Schynes schene Þat are strong and styþe; Ofte hast þow erly and late Don vr erende at heuene-ȝate And Maked vs ful bliþe. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi Maydenhede, Þyn haunches and þi feire fete, Þat for vs trauayle.MS. doost tr.; doost overl. by another hand. Ladi, for þi grete grace A-Mong þi Ioyes of a place Let vs neuere fayle! Aue. Blessed, ladi, beo al þi toos: Whon þou of Childbedde a-Ros, To þe Temple þow ȝeode, fforte folfulle þat lawe Þat was vsud by Olde dawe— Symeon sauh þat dede. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, al at ones Þi fflesch þi blod, þi skyn þi bones, And þin Entrayles wiþ. Ladi, for þi Muchel honour Prey Ihesu vr sauyour, He graunt vs pees and grith! Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi grete strengþe: Þou hast drawen my lyf on lengþe And don an Almus werk; Þow holdest þe fend vndur foote, Þow geete fro his herte-Rote Theophules lettre, þe Clerk. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi goode þewes, Þat kepen vs from þe blake schrewes Þat Mennes soules han craued; Þe grete oþus þat Men han sworen Hedde I-maad þe world for-loren, But as þou hast hit saued. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi stable þouht: Vre neodes for-ȝetest þou nouht, Þow delest wiþ non hoket; Bi-fore þe kyng þat demes riht Þou pledest for men day and niht— Blessed beo þat voket! Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi swetnes. Al Monkynde more and les To helle were þei gon, Þei weoren alle in helle i-bounde, Til þi Sone wiþ blodi wounde Hed leesed hem out vchon. Aue. Blessed beo, ladi, þi feirhede, Menget al wiþ whit and Rede, Wiþ brihtnes al bi-Ron. Ladi, flour of alle londes, Bryng him out of carful bondes Þat hath þis song bi-gon! Aue. Blessed ladi, Blesse I schal Þy Lyf, þi Soule, þi Bodi al Þat eeuene to heuene went. As wis, ladi, beo vr frend And schild vs from þe foule fend, And let vs neuer be schent. A M. E N. [XXVI. An orisoun to þe fyue woundes of ihesus cristus.]So the title in the Index. Ihesus, þat diȝedest vppon þe tre And þoledest deþ for loue of me And for myn elder sake, ffrom þe deuel and al his miht Þow kepe me, boþe day and niht, Wher I slepe or wake. Lord, ȝif me grace to worche þi wille And þi Comaundement to forþfille, Þat heuene may beo my Meede. Ihesu, bring me to þi Reste, Þat euere wiþ-outen ende schal leste, And help me at al my nede. Now God, þat died on þe Rode And þer-on schedde þin herte-blode, And of Marie was boren, Heer me whon I to þe calle, And let me neuere in synne falle, Ne for my mis-dede be loren. Ihesu, þiMS. for þi fyue woundes on þe Roode Þat þou þoledest for monnes goode, Moot my socour be. In þe worschipe of þi wounde Þat þyn herte þolede in þat stounde, A Pater noster sei we. Pater. In þe worschipe of þi riht honde Þat was woundet in þe holy londe And nayled to þe tre, Heere to-day my preyere, As wis as þou bouhtest me dere Haue Merci, lord, on me. Pater. Ihesu lord þat is so Mylde, ffrom dedly synne þou me schilde Boþe day and niht; Cumforte me, Ihesu, wiþ þi sonde, As wisliche as þi luft honde Was nayled wiþ on-riht. Pater. God, schilde my soule þat day fro care Whon hit schal from my bodi fare; Haue Merci, lord, on me, As wis as I leue wel and wot Þat on þe goode ffriday þi riht fot Was nayled to þe tre. Pater. As wis as harde to þe tre Þi lift ffoot was nayled for me, Graunte me þi grace, Þat I may haue þi Ioyful reste, Þat wiþ-outen ende schal leste, And seo þi louely face. A M E N. Pater. [XXVII. An orisoun to þe fyue ioyes of vre lady.]So the title in the Index. MArie Modur, wel þe bee! Modur and Mayden, þenk on me ffor þi muchel miht! Marie Mayden meke and mylde, ffrom mis-chaunce to-day me schylde, Þat me ne dere no wiht. Aue. Marie, þou hast no peere, Heere to-day my preyere, Þouh I vn-worþi be; To þe I clepe and calle: As þou art flour of alle Þou haue Merci of me. Aue. Marie Modur and Mayden eke, ffor þat Ioye I þe by-seche Þat Gabriel þe grette, Þat Ioye me kepe day and niht ffrom þe deuel and al his miht, And of mis-dede me lette. Aue. ffor þe Ioye þat God was boren Let me not, ladi, beo forloren Þat þi sone bouht dere, But vndurfong to-day my beode, Þat hit may stonde me in sum steode Þorwh þi preyere. Aue. And for þe Ioye þat fro deþ to lyue God vp-Ros wiþ woundes fyue Vppon þe paske-day, Beo-seche þi sone, ladi Mylde, ffrom mischaunce þat he me schilde As wis as he best may. Aue. And for þe Ioye God steih to heuene On holy þoresday wiþ mylde steuene, Help me, ladi of miht, And beo boþe my scheld and spere, Þat no wikked mon me dere Ne deuel bi day no niht. Aue. And for þe Ioye aftur þyn ende, Bi-forer. ffor? to heuene þer þou dudest wende In Murþe and Iolyte, Bryng me in to þat reste Þat euer wiþ-outen ende schal leste, Ȝif þi wille be. Aue. Ladi, flour of wymmen-kynne, Ȝif me grace þi loue to wynne, Mayden feir and fre, And let me neuer for no synne ffor-go þat Ioye þat þou art Inne, AMEN par Charite. Aue. [XXVIII. A salutacioun to vre lady.]So the title in the Index. The first 6 stanzas are printed in Warton, Hist. of Engl. Poetry, 1871, II. p. 283. Heil beo þow, Marie Moodur and May, Mylde and Meke and Merciable! Heyl follich fruit of soþfast fay, Aȝeyn vche stryf studefast and stable; Heil soþfast soule in vche a-say— Vndur þi sone is non so able; Heil logge þat vre lord in lay, Þe formast þat neuer was founden in fable. Heil trewe, trouþeful and tretable, Heil cheef i-chosen of Chastite, Heil homely, hende and amyable: Do prey for vs to þi sone so fre. Aue. Heil sterre þat neuer stunteþ liht, Heil Busch Brennyng þat neuer was brent;A simile used by Chaucer. Heil rihtful rulere of eueri riht, Schadewe to schilde þat scholde be schent; Heil, Blessed beo þow, Blosme briht, To trouþe and trust was þyn entent; Heil Mayden and Modur most of miht, Of alle mischeues a-Mendement. Heil spice sprong þat neuer was spent, Heil trone of þe Trinite, Heil soiourneon erasure. þat Godusr. god is sone to sent: Þow preye for vs þi sone so fre. Aue. Heil hertely in holinesse, Heil hope of help to heihe and lowe, Heil strengþe and stalon erasure. of stabelnesse, Heil wyndouwe of heuene-wowe, Heil reson of al rihtwysnesse, To vche a Caytyf cumfort to knowe, Heil Inocent out of Angernesse, Vr takel, vr tol þat we on trowe; Heil frend to alle þat beoþ forþ flowe, Heil liht of loue and of lewte, Heil brihtor þen þe blod on snowe: Þow preye for vs to þi sone so fre. Aue. Heil Mayden, heil Modur, heil Martir trewe, Heil kyndely I-knowe Confessour; Heil euenere of old lawe and of newe, Heil Buildere boold of cristes bour; Heil Rose hiȝest of hyde and hewe, Of alle ffruytes feirest fflour; Heil Tortul trustiest and trewe, Of alle trouþe þou art tresour; Heil puyred princesse of paramour, Heil Blosme of Brere, Brihtest of ble, Heil owner of eorþly honour: Þou prey for vs to þi sone so fre. Aue. Heil hende, heil holy Emperesse, Heil queneon erasure. corteis, comely and kynde; Heil distruyere of eueri stresse, Heil mender of eueri monnes mynde; Heil Bodi þat we ouhte to blesse, So feiþful frend may neuer mon fynde; Heil lenere and louere of largenesse, Swete and swettest þat neuer may swynde; Heil Botenere of eueri bodi blynde, Heil Borgun brihtes[t] of alle bounte, Heil trewore þen þe wode-bynde: Þou pray for us to þi sone so fre. Aue. Heil Modur, heil Mayden, heil heuene-qwene, Heil ȝatusr. ȝate of paradys, Heil Sterre of þe Se þat euere is seene, Heil riche, Ryal and Riht-wys; Heil Buyrde, I-blesset mote þow beene, Heil perle, of al perey þe pris, Heil Schadewe in vch a schour schene, Heil fayrore þen þe flour delys; Heil cher chosen þat neuer nas chis, Heil chef chaumbre of Charite, Heil in wo þat euere was wys: Þow prey for vs to þi sone so fre. Aue. Heil welle of merci, watur of lyf, Heil gentel ȝerde of Iesse Roote; Heil Mayde, heil Moodur, heil wedded wyf, Þi blessednes brouht us til vr bote; Heil studefast stuntere of eueri strif, Þe feirest þat euer ȝeode vppon fote; ffrom vs vche a deuel þou deest drif; Heil swete, heil swettest, heil most swote; Heil Mayden þat for vs most mote, Heil puired princes of pite, Heil Mirour vche mon on to tote: Þow pray for vs to þi sone so fre. Aue. Heil holy herte, hope of hele, Heil fostrere of vre ful fay, Heil worchere of þis worldly wele, Heil wissere of vre rihtwys way, Heil fallere of þe fendes fele,or. frele Heil logge þat vre lord in lay, Heil Chartre þat Ihesus gon a-sele: ffor vs, ladi, to þi sone þou pray Þat at þe dredful domus-day Vre a-vokes þat ȝe may be, ffor non oþur þen help us may Saue þi-self and þi swete sone fre. Aue. Heil hed of worschip, cristes trone, Þe semely Temple of Salamon; Heil brihtest Sonne, vn-meued Mone, Heil ful fles of gedeon;on erasure. Heil help to hem þat han to done, Loue of Angel, murþe of man: Þi socour, ladi, send vs sone And help vs, for we han mis-gan. Charbokel neuer so cler schone As ȝe schyne in cristes see. To ȝow, ladi, I make my mone: Prey for vs to þi sone so fre. Aue. This stanza in the MS. written at the foot of the page.Heil Archa federis euere I-loke, Cristes trewe tresorie;MS. trosorie Heil Archa of noe neuer to-broke, ffor worldli wawe þat neuer wolde wrie; Heil esterne ȝate faste I-stoke Seþþe god þi sone eode out þer-bye; Heyl chosen chastite þe ȝoke, engendreer of vre gentrie; Heil kuyndenesse, heil cortesye, Heil douweer of diuinite, Heil susteynour of Seyntuarie: Þou preye for vs þi sone so fre. Aue. Heil lok, heil loue, heil Marie! I heile þe wiþ herte and þouht, I heile þe wiþ Mouþ and eiȝe, ffor my wilde werkes han beo nouht; I heile þe and Merci crie, Wiþ al my bodi I haue mis-wrouht; I heile þe whon I schal dye, And help to blisse þat we be brouht. Pray þi sone, þat vs deore bouht, Graunt vs grace for his pite, Þauh synnes haue vs þorwh-souht; Bring vs to þi blis þat euer schal be, Amen. Aue. [XXIX. Miracles of oure lady.]Ed. before by me in Herrig's Archiv, 1876. On the various collec|tions of Miracles of our lady see Mussafia, Sitzungsber. der Wiener Acad. der Wissensch., 1887-8. I. [hou þe cite off croteye was delyuered of þeir enemys by vre lady coote.](A Picture.)

So the title in the Index.

The Index to MS. Vern. gives the following list of these Miracles; only the first 9 (the 9th unfinished) are preserved in the MS.

hou þe cite off croteye was delyuered of þeir enemys by vre lady coote. hou þe Iewes, in despit of vre lady, þrewe a chyld in a gonge. hou an holy hermyt prayde a synful womman pray god for hym. hou a Iew putte his sone in a brennyngge ouene, for he was communed wit oþur cristene children on þe pask-day. hou a man, for ache, cut of his foot, and was heled aȝeyn by vre lady. hou a iew lente a cristenemon moneye, and took vre lady to borow. Of a prest þat lay by a nonne. hou vre lady ȝaf mylk off heore pappes to a man þat hadde þe squynacye. Of an incontinent monk, þat was drouned, and rered aȝeyn by vre lady to lyf. Of a clerk þat wolde euery day segge þe fyue ioyes of vre lady. hou vre lady dude þe offys of a sextresse fyftene ȝeer for a nonne. hou a god wyf by-nam fro an ymage of vre lady þe ymage of heore child. Of a deuout knyt off kyrkeby. hou a wommon slow heore doutour hosebonde, and was dampned to þe fuyr, and delyuered by vre lady. hou þe deuel took lyknesse of a wommon, and seyde he was godes modur. hou out of a monkes mouth, aftur his deeth, grew a lilie, and in euery leef was wryten wyt large lettres of gold: aue maria. hou a nonne furȝat to grete vre ladye, and ful in apostasye. hou seynt Bernard say twey children ydrouned for þeir inobedience. Of þys antynene: Salue regina. hou vre lady sauter bygan. hou vre lady was a medewyf in þe churche of seynt michel in monte tumba. hou þe feste of þe natiuite of vre lady by-gan. Of a deuout clerk þat died in drenkelenschipe, & was wyrned sepulcre. Of a þef þat was þre dayes hanget, and saued by vre lady. Of a prest þat coude non oþur masse but salua sancta parens. hou þe deuel, in liknesse of a bole and of oþur bestes, encumbrede a monk for he was ones drunke. Of a wommon off Rome þat conceyuede bi heore owne sone, & slou heore child. Off a child þat weddede an ymage of vre lady. hou at þe cite of Tholuse þe priuetes were knowe of Iewes. hou vre lady ȝaf to seynt Bonyte þe bisschoph holy vestemens. hou þe deuel, in fals liknesse of seynt Iame, made a man cutte of his priue menbres. Of a monk of Cisteus, þat vre lady took in heore armes, and custe hym. hou Constantyn þe Emperour ordeynede for euere-mor in seynt petre churche at Rome, in wyrschip of seynt petre, a lampe wyt Baume perpetuelly brennyngge. Of seynt fulbert þe bisschop, þat made þe storye, and þe legende and oþur tretys off þe natiuite of vre lady. Of a mayden þat was cald Musa. Of a malicious priour of seynt sauyours of þe cite of papye. Of seynt Ierom, bisschoph of papye. Of a whyth corporaus was in-tync wit red wyn, in seynt Micheles churche, þat his cald cluse. hou vre lady taute a clerk hou he schulde segge heore complyn. Of þe schrewednesse of Iustynyan þe emperour. And why þe feste of þe puryficacion was ordeyned. hou an ymage of þe child off vre lady taute anoþur child and preyde hym to come dyne wyt hym. LOrdus, ȝif ȝe wol lusten to me, Of Croteye, þe noble Cite, ffurst hou hit bi-seget was And seþþen dilyueret þorw godus gras And þorw þe help of vre ladi, So witnesseþ Miracle of Mari. Out of peihtes lond þer came A kniht þat Rollo was his name; He gederet wiþ him out of þe north Cost Of diuerse nacions a wel gret host, Out of Denemarch and North-wey, Of feolore folk þen I con sey. Mony Cuntres he can destruye, Wel muchel pepule he gan anuye, In mony a Coost, bi Est and West, He won him londes bi Conquest. ffurst he bi-gon in þe North Cuntre, And aftur he schipet ouer þe Séé. Sire Rollo wiþ al his host Ariuede in ffraunce vp in a cost. Þat Cuntre gon he furst destruiȝe, Þerfore he called hit Northmondye, ffor þei dude men to deþe i-lome Þat out of þe North cost come; Þerfore he called hit Northmondye, As writen I fynde in his storye: Of Bruit þe Cronicle witnesset wel Þis Conquest of Rollo eueridel. Hit was þe furste Duik in þat lond, ffor he furst won hit wiþ his hond. Whon Rollo þat kniht was þider I-comen And mony a toun þei hedde I-nomen, Mony a Mon þei dude to deþe, fful fewe þei saueden, and ȝit vnneþe. And as he trauayled on his Iorney, He com to a Citéé, was called Crotey. Þus sone Sire Rollo wiþ his Route Bi-sette þat Citéé wiþ sege a-boute. Wiþ-Inne þe Citéé men hedde gret drede: Heore Enemys weren so douhti of dede; Of socour þei seȝen non oþur won But ȝelden þe Cite, or elles ben slon. AN holi Bisschop þer was þer-Inne, Þat was called sire Waltelinne, He was Bisschop of þat Citéé, A swuyþe noble mon was he. He tauhte heom ȝerne knele and crie To crist and to his Modur Marie; Þorw help of hire þat bar vr lord He hopede þei schulden han sone cumfort. Seþen him-self goþ to þe Sextriȝe, Þat was þe Munstres treserye; Vr ladi Curtel þer-Inne he found. Wiþ gret Reuerence he kneled to ground, Þer to Marie he beed his bone To sende þat Cite socour sone. Wiþ peple and gret processioun He bar þat Relyk þorw al þe toun, fful deyntely diht vppon a spere, As lordus Baner displayet in werre. Þe Bisschop heet cast vp þe ȝate And bad his folk folewe hym algate, Him-self bi-foren and þei be-hynde; He hoped in Marie help to fynde. A-non as þei were þus out went, Heore enemys letten hem not but schent: ffor so a-stoneyd and ferede men Nere neuer worse þen þei were þen! Whon on þat relyk þei caste heore siht, Þei woxe startr. stare-blynde anon-riht; Þei mihten no more defenden heom þen Þen so mony blynde or drounkene Men. Þe Citeseins token hem at heore wille, Summe to Raunsum, and summe to spille. Siþen þei turnen aȝeyn to þe Citéé Wiþ Murþe and gret solempnite, And herieden heihly þat Mylde may Þat socourde and saued hem so þat day. And do we on þe same wyse Boþe glade and bliþe wiþ bisy seruise, Þe same ladi forte qweme, Þat so in Mischeef to vs takeþ ȝeme To hire sone crist vre erende to bede, And socoureþ vs so at eueri nede. Nou, ladi, preye þi sone on hih To alle cristene he graunte Merci! Amen. II. [hou þe Fewes, in despit of vre lady, prewe a chyld in a gonge.](Picture.) WOse loueþ wel vre ladi, Heo wol quiten his wille wel whi, Oþur in his lyf or at his ende: Þe ladi is so freo and hende. Hit fel [so] sum-tyme in Parys, As witnesseþ in holy writ Storys. In þe Cite bi-fel þis cas: A pore child was of porchas, Þat wiþ þe Beggeri þat he con wynne He fond sumdel what ofr. for his kinne, His ffader, his Moder, and eke him-self; He begged in Cite bi eueri half. Þe child non oþur Craftus couþe But winne his lyflode wiþ his Mouþe. Þe Childes vois was swete and cler, Men lusted his song wiþ riht good cher; Wiþ his song þat was ful swete He gat Mete from strete to strete. Men herked his song ful likyngly: Hit was an Antimne of vre lady, He song þat Antimne eueri-wher, I-Called Alma Redemptoris Mater, Þat is forþrihtly to mene: "Godus Moder, Mylde and Clene, Heuene ȝate and Sterre of se, Saue þi peple from synne and we." Þat song was holden deynteous, Þe child song hit from hous to hous. ffor he song hit so lykynglye, Þe Iewes hedde alle to hym Envye. Til hit fel on a seters-day Þe Childes wey þorw þe Iewerie lay: Þe Iewes hedden þat song in hayn, Þerfore þei schope þe child be slayn. So lykingly þe Child song þer, So lustily song he neuer er.vv. 33-34, 35-36 to be transp.? On of þe Iewes Malicious Tilled þe child in to his hous; His Malice þere he gan to kuyþe: He Cutte þe childes þrote alswiþe. Þe child ne spared nout for þat wrong, But neuer-þe-latere song forþ his song; Whon he hedde endet, he eft bi-gon, His syngyng couþe stoppe no mon. Þer-of þe Ieuh was sore anuyet. Leste his Malice mihte ben aspyet, Þe Ieuh bi-þouhte him of a gynne: In to a gonge-put fer wiþ-Inne Þe child adoun þer-Inne he þrong. Þe child song euere þe same song; So lustily þe child con crie, Þat song he neuer er so hyȝe: Men mihte him here fer and neer, Þe Childes vois was so heiȝ and cleer. ÞE Childes moder was wont to a-byde Euery day til þe Non-tyde, Þen was he wont to bringe heom mete, Such as he mihte wiþ his song gete. Bote þat day was þe tyme a-past. Þerfore his Moder was sore a-gast; Wiþ syk and serwe in eueri strete Heo souhte wher heo mihte wiþ him mete. Bote whon heo com in to þe Iewery, Heo herde his vois so cler of cry. Aftur þat vois his Modur dreuh: Wher he was Inne, þerbi heo kneuh. Þen of hire child heo asked a siht. Þe Iew wiþ-nayted him anon-riht, And seide þer nas non such child þrinne. Þe childes Moder ȝit nolde not blinne, But euer þe Moder criede in on. Þe Ieuh seide euere þer nas such non. Þen seide þe wommon: "þou seist wrong, He is her-Inne, I knowe his song." Þe Ieuh bi-gon to stare and swere And seide þer com non such child þere. But neuer-þe-latere men mihte here Þe child song euere so loude and clere, And euer þe lengor, herre and herre, Men mihte him here boþe fer and nerre. Þe Modur coude non oþur won: To Meir and Baylyfs heo is gon, Heo pleyneþ þe Ieuh haþ don hire wrong To stelen hire sone so for his song; Heo preyeþ to don hire lawe and riht, Hire sone don come bi-fore heore siht, Heo preyeþ þe Meir par Charite Of him to haue freo lyuere. Þenne heo telleþ þe Meir a-Mong Hou heo lyueþ bi hire sone song. Þe Meir þen haþ of hire pite, And sumneþ þe folk of þat Cite. He telleþ hem of þat wommons sawe, And seiþ he mot don hire þe lawe, And hoteþ hem wiþ hym to wende, To Bringe þis wommons cause to ende. Whon þei cum þider, for al heore noyse Anon þei herde þe childes voyse, Riht as an Angeles vois hit were, Þei herde him neuer synge so clere. Þer þe Meir makeþ entre, And of þe child he askeþ lyuere. Þe Ieuh may nouȝt þe Meir refuse, Ne of þe child hym wel excuse, But nede he moste knouleche his wrong, A-teynt bi þe childes song. Þe Meir let serchen hym, so longe, Til he was founden in þe gonge, fful depe I-drouned in fulþe of fen. Þe Meir het drawe þe child vp þen,2 vv. wanting? Wiþ ffen and ffulþe riht foule bi-whoruen, And eke þe childes þrote I-coruen. Anon-riht, er þei passede forþere, Þe Ieuh was Iugget for þat Morþere. And er þe peple passede in-sonder, Þe Bisschop was comen to seo þat wonder. In presence of Bisschop and alle I-fere Þe child song euere I-liche clere. Þe Bisschop serchede wiþ his hond: Wiþ-inne þe childes þrote he fond A Lilie flour, so briht and cler, So feir a Lylie nas neuere seȝen er, Wiþ guldene lettres eueriwher: Alma Redemptoris Mater. Anon þat lilie out was taken, Þe childes song bi-gon to slaken, Þat swete song was herd no more; But as a ded cors þe child lay þore. Þe Bisschop wiþ gret solempnete Bad bere þe cors þorw al þe Cite: And hym-self wiþ processioun Com wiþ þe Cors þorw al þe toun, Wiþ prestes and clerkes þat couþen syngen, And alle þe Belles he het hem ryngen, Wiþ torches Brennynge and cloþus riche, Wiþ worschipe þei ladden þat holi liche. In to þe Munstre whon þei kem, Bi-gonne þe Masse of Requiem, As for þe dede Men is wont. But þus sone þei weren i-stunt: Þe Cors a-Ros in heore presens, Bi-gon þen Salue sancta parens. Men mihte wel witen þe soþe þer-bi: Þe child hedde i-seruet vr swete ladi, Þat worschipede him so on erþe her And brouhte his soule to blisse al cler. Þerfore i rede þat eueri mon Serue þat ladi wel as he con, And loue hire in his beste wyse: Heo wol wel quite him his seruise. Now, Marie, for þi Muchele miht Help vs to heuene þat is so briht! III. [hou an holy hermyt prayde a synful womman pray god for hym.](Picture.) GOd, þat al þis world haþ wrouht And formed alle þing of nouht, Seþþen alle þing wiþ-outen him Is deþ and dernesse and dim, Graunt vs grace and space and miht Þat we mowe serue him so ariht: Whon we out of þis world wende, To wynne þe Ioye wiþ-outen ende. To hele of soule is noble þing To louen and lyken holy talkyng Of holy men þat sum-tyme were, And of heore holy lyf to here. ffor synne i[s] cald þe deueles.schakel, His net, his tool, his takyng takel; Wiþ lust he eeseþ his put-falle, To gylen wiþ cristene soules alle: But grace a-ȝeynes þat is obstacle, Wiþ help of halewen, þorw Miracle Geten bi halewen specially, Bote souereynlokest þorw vre ladi, Þat sikerest socour is at vr nede, Synful Monnes erende to beode; Whon we ben synfol and vn-clene, To wynne vs Merci, heo is Mene: As sum-tyme in Rome bi-fel, Þe storie i-writen witnesset wel. Þer was sum-tyme in þat Cite A wommon þat louede not chastite; Hire lyf heo ladde in gret folye, In fulþe and lust of Lecherye; Wiþ no Mon spared heo forte do synne Of whom heo hoped Moneye to wynne. Þat wommon greiþed hire queynt and gay, And wolk in þat Cite on a day. Heo mette wiþ an holy heremyt Þat in deuocion hedde gret delyt; He bad his beodes deuoutely, And holi Aues to vre ladi. Þat wommon, as heo com hym bi And sayh hym cloþed Boistusli, Of synne and folye heo talked him tille And temptede þe holy Monnes wille. Þe hermyte onswerde hire nouht, In his deuociun was al his þouht. Whon he of hire tok no Reward, In scorn heo cleped hym papelard, And seide: "þou fol, þou dotel ffrere, What chaffest þou and chaterest þus here? What is al þat pryue roun Þat þou whistrest her vp and doun?"— ffor he folewede nout hire dilyt Þe wommon hedde of him dispyt. ÞE Hermite onswerde ful myldely: "Damesele, þis is þe cause why: I am my-self a synful Mon And of goodnes ful lutel I con, To god I preye boþe day and niht ffor grace, to seruen hym ariht, And [for] alle þat habeþ hym ouht a-gult, And for þe, wommon, ȝif þow wolt, Þat God graunte þe such grace To serue þi god, whil þou hast space. Boþe þou and I and alle oþur, ffor eueri cristene is oþeres broþer, In gode bedes we moten tristen, Boþe þou and I and alle cristen." ÞE wommon seide: "Biddestou for me?" Þen seide þe Hermyte: "damesele, ȝe, I preye for þe as for my-self An alle oþere cristene in godes half, Þat god for-ȝiue vs vre misdedes; So verrey Charite techeþ vs nedes." Þen seide þe damesele aȝeyn: "To preye for me þou worchest in veyn; Leoue ffrere, of me tac non hede, ffor to þi preyere haue I non nede." Þo seide þe Hermite: "Damesel, Þe neodeþ me nouht, I leeue hit wel, Me, ne non preyere of myne. But mekeliche I preye þe of þyne To Ihesu and his Modur Mari, To graunte me of my synnes Merci. Þe nexte chirche þat þou comest Inne, I preye þe, damesele, so bi-gynne; Þat I þi bone þe bet may fele, I prey þe, damesele, þat þow knele; Wiþ herte and good deuocioun Of my synnes get me pardoun; Mekely knelyng on þi kne Þreo Pater Noster preye to god for me, And to his swete Moder Mari Þreo Aues þerto, for my Merci." ÞEn onswereþ þe damysel: "Þis nis but luyte, I graunte hit wel; Hose wuste þat hit mihte a-vayle, Þis nis bote a luytel trauayle." Þenne onswereþ þe Hermyte: "Damysele, seþþe hit nis bote luyte, I preye þe do þis þing for me; Þi trauayle I-quit riht wel schal be Or in þi lyue or afturward; I preie þe, damysele, hold foreward." Þenne seide þe damysel: "Þe foreward i hope to holde wel; Wher hit a-vayle oþur elles nouht, I wol don as þou hast bi-souht." Þe hermyte Mekely kneled adoun And þonked hire wiþ deuocioun. ÞE Damysele wende forþ hire wey Abouten hire murþus and hire pley. And as heo streihte þorw a strete, Heo þouhte what heo þe Hermyte bi-hete; And in a strete as heo com bi, Heo seih a Chapel of vre ladi: In to þat Chapel heo made entre. Þer was an ymage of Marie fre, Of þat blisful Mayden Mylde, Vppon hire barm heo bar hire childe. Þe damysele caste on hire a siht And þouhte þat ymage swete and briht, And þouhte, bi foreward hou heo was bounde To knele bi-foren hire on þe grounde; Heo tok to god non oþur reward But for schome to breke forward. Heo kneled adoun vppon hire knes And seide þe paternostres and þe Aues, As was hire foreward furst bi-fore, And seide: "Ihesu, lord, þyn Ore! ffor-ȝif þe Hermyte his trespas And graunt hym Merci, þorw þi gras, Of al þat euer he haþ mys-do In al his lyf ȝut hider-to." ÞEnne þhouȝte þe damisele verreyly Þe Babe loked on hire wroþly, Hire þhouȝte þo he tornde his Bak, Such wordes to his mooder he spak: "Moder, seostou hou ȝond neih hend Myn enemy preyeþ for my frend?" Hire þhouȝte þe Moder onswered aȝein Wiþ wordus Mylde, plat and pleyn: "Sone, for þy ffrendes sake, What-euere þin Enemy haþ mis-take ffor-ȝiue hit, sone, of þi Merci, As þou art, lord, God almihti, And also, sone, for þe loue of me Hire synnes I preye for-ȝiuen be." ÞE child onswerde wiþ louely chere: "Mi swete Modur, Mi norice dere, Þi bone mot nedes I-graunted be, What þou wolt wol I not werne þe." Þenne seide Marie: "lo, Damysel, Þou schalt haue grace, þou hast herd wel; But þow maiȝt sen riht wel bi þis Hou þou hast lad þi lyf amis, ffor þou hast liued in luþur lyue. Tac a prest and do þe schriue Wiþ sereuful herte and repentaunce, And gladly vnderueng penaunce; ffor at þis fourti dayes ende Þou schalt out of þis world wende And wone wiþ vs in murþe and play, Þat lasteþ in Ioye for euere and ay." Þis was þat synful wommons ende, Þorw help of Marie, þat Mayden hende. Bi-seche we ȝerne þat swete may To helpen vs at vre laste day Of hol Remission of vre synne And to Ioye þat heo woneþ Inne. amen. IV. [hou a Few putte his sone in a brennyngge ouene, for he was communed wit oþur cristene children on þe pask-day.](Picture.)

The poem, most likely, was originally composed in 8-lined stanzas, which are still obvious in vv. 69, 117, 141, 157.

 LOrd, Makere of alle þing, Almihti God in Maieste, Þat euer was wiþ-oute biginning And art and euermore schal be: Graunte vs boþe miht and space So to serue þe to pay, Þat we mowe þorw þi grace Wone wiþ þe for euere and ay! Of þe Miracles of vre ladi We ouhten wel to hauen in Muynde, Þat writen beþ in soþ stori, Hou helplich heo is euere to Monkynde. Sum-tyme fel in on Cite— Herkneþ wel, and ȝe may here— As Iewes weren I-wont to be Among þe cristen and wone I-fere: Þe Cristene woneden in On halue Of þat Cite, as I þe hete, And alle þe Iewes bi hem-selue Were stihlet to wone in a strete. Þe Cristene children in a Crofte I-mad hem hedden a wel feir plas. Þer-Inne a Iewes child ful ofte Wiþ hem to pleyen I-wont he was. Þe childes ffader nom non hede, Ne to his child he sette non eiȝe, Þerfore þe child boþe com and eode As ofte as euere hem luste to pleye. So ofte to pleyen hem fel i-fere Þe Iewes sone on heore pleyes coude, Þat riht as on of hem he were; Wiþ loue þerfore þei him alouwede. At an Aster tyme bi-tidde, Whon cristen made solempnite— A Menskful Munstre was mad amidde, As semed best, in þat Citéé: Þerto þe cristene peple can drawe, To here boþe Mateyns and eke Masse, As falleþ bi þe Cristene lawe Boþe to more and eke to lasse; Eueri mon in his array, Boþe housbonde and wyf also, As falleþ wel for asterday And al as cristene men schul do. Þe children foleweden heore fadres in-fere, As þei weore euere I-wont to do. Þe Iewes child wiþ wel good chere Wiþ hem wel fayn was for to go. Wiþ-Inne þe chirche whon he was Riht, Him þouhte he nas neuer er so glad As he was of þat semeli siht, Such on bi-fore neuer seȝe he had: Boþe laumpes & tapers, brenninde briht, And Auters curiousliche de-peynt, IMages ful deinteousliche i-diht, And guld of moni a good corseynt. Acomeli qween in O Chayer fful semeli sat, al greiþed in golde, A blisful Babe on Armr. barm, ef. v. 160. heo beer, fful kyngly Corouned, as he scholde. Of þat ladi þe child tok hede, And of þat blisful Babe also, Hou folk bi-foren heore bedes bede, As cristen Men beþ wont to do. Þe Iewes child euere tok such ȝeme To alle sihtes þat he þer seiȝ, Him þhouȝte hem alle so swete to seme ffor Ioye him þouȝte I-Rauessched neih. Whon heiȝ-Masse of þat day was do, Þe Prest bad alle men knelen a-doun: Wiþ Confiteor, as falleþ þer-to, He ȝiueþ hem Absolucioun; He biddeþ hem More and lasse also, To vengen heor sauiour busken hem boun. Þe Iewes child tok tente þer-to, Among þe cristene he dude him doun. AMong þe pres þauh he were poselet, He spared no-þing for no drede AMong þe cristene til he were hoselet; Of such a child me tok non hede. To ende whon alle þing was brouht And eueri cristene drouh him hom, Þe Ieuh þorw toune his child haþ souht, And saih wher he from chirche com. He asked his sone wher he hedde ben, Whil he hedde souht him al þat day. Al riht as he hedde i-don and seon, Þe child him rikenet al þe a-Ray. His ffader þerfore wox wood-wroþ, And seide anon: "þou getest þi mede!" And to his houene al hot he goþ, Þat glemede as glowyng as a glede. In to þe houene þe child he caste: To askes he þouȝte þe child to brenne; And wiþ þe Mouþ-ston he stekeþ him faste, And þouhte þat neuer couþ scholde him kenne. Þerof whon his moder herde, In a stude þer as heo stood, As ffrayed in ffrenesye heo ferde, ffor wo heo wente as waxen wood, Eucr hotyng out, heo tar hire her, In eueri stret of þat Citee, Nou In, Nou out, so eueriwher; Men wondret on hire and hedde pite. BOþe Meir and Bailifs of þe toun, Whon þei herden of þat cri, Þei aresten hire bi Resoun, A[nd] maden chalange enchesun whi Heo criede so in þat Cite And putte þe Peple in such affray, To serwen in such solempnite, And nomeliche on heore Aster-day. As sone as heo mihte sece of wepe, Þis was þe seyinge of hire sawe: "Sires, ȝe han þis Citéé to kepe, As lordus han to lede þe lawe: Allas, Allas, I am i-schent, And help of ow me mot bi-houen, I prey ow of Iust Iuggement, Mi cause I schal bi-fore ȝou prouen: Mi hosebonde haþ my child ibrent, I-stopped him in a glouwyng houen; Goth seoþ, sires, bi on assent, And I schal ȝiue ow gold to glouen." BOþe Meir and Baylifs wiþ folk i-fere To þe Iewes houene ben gon. As sone as þei þider come were, Þe Meir Comaundet: "doþ doun þe ston." Þer eueri Mon wel mihte i-seo Þe houene-Roof, þat was so round, Hou hit was Blasyng al of bleo As glouwyng glos, from Roof to grount. Þe child sat þere boþe hol and sound, Ne nouht I-harmet, hond ny her, A-Midde þe gledes of þe ground, As he seete in Cool Erber. Þe childes Moder, whon heo þat seih, Hire þouhte heo nas neuer er so glad; In to þe houene heo sturte him neih, Þus sone wiþ hire him out heo had. And al þe peple þere present Wondred on þat selly siht, And heried god wiþ good entent, ffor Miracle is more þen Monnes miht. Hou he haþ non harmes hent Among þe brondes þat brenneþ so briht, Þei asken of him bi on assent. Þe child onswered a-non-riht: "Of alle þe Murþes þat I haue had In al my lyf ȝit hider-to Ne was I neuere of gleo so glad As aftur I was In þe houene I-do! Boþe Brondes and Gledes, trustily, Þat weren bi-neþen vndur my fote, As feire floures, feiþfully, As special spices me þhouȝte hem swote; Þe Blisful Qwen, þat Maiden Milde, Þat sitteþ in Chirche in hih Chayer Wiþ þat comely kyng, hire childe, Þat Blisful Babe, on Barm heo ber, ffrom alle þe schydes þei cunne me schilde, ffrom gledes and brondes þat brende so cler, ffrom alle þe flaumes þat flowen so wilde, Þat neuer non mihte neihȝe me ner." Boþe Men and wymmen, al þat þer wore, Þei herieden God hertily, Boþe luytel and muche, lasse and more, Of þis Miracle, witerly. ÞE Iewesse þorw hire sones sawe Was conuertet to crist a-non; Þe Child tok hym to cristes lawe, And alle þe Iewes euerichon. Þe Meir sat on þe Ieuh him-selue, fforte beo Iuge of his trespas; To siggen þe soþe i-sworen were twelue, To ȝiuen heore verdyt in þat caas. Þei counseiled i-vere vppon þat caas, And comen aȝeyn bi on assent; Þe wordes of þat verdyt was: "In þat same houene he schulde be brent." Þus is endet þis stori Of þe Miracle I-writen a-boue. God graunt vs Ioy In heuene an hih, Ihesu, for þi Moder loue. Amen. V. [hou a man, for ache, cut of his foot, and was heled aȝeyn by vre lady.](Picture.) In the MS. the poem is written in half-lines.IEsu, God and Godus sone : Þat were a Babe I-boren Of þe Mayden swete Marie : Kuynde Qween I|Coren: As þou rayled on þe Roode : On Crois, I-Crouned of þorn, To beete þe gultus of vre ffadres : Þat fer weren vs bi|foren; And aftur þat þe þridde day : ffrom deþe þou vp a-Ros, To leesen hem out þat weren I-punt : ffor synne in helle clos— Þe soules, lord, þat weren in helle : Were glad of þin vp-Rys, Wiþ þe þou laddest hem whon þou rise : To B[l]isse of Paradys; Þe ffourtiþe day þerafturward : Þou steih to heuene anMS. and heih, Þer þou sittest on his riht syde : Þi ffader swyþe neih; Þeraftur þenne þe tenþe day : Þou sendest doun wiþ þi sonde Þe holigost to þi disciples : To don hem vndurstonde Wit and wisdam, resun and skil : To knowen þi godhede And preche þe bileeue among þe folk : And hem to good lyf lede: Wel ouhte we alle to þonke þe, lord : Of alle þi goodnes, And eke þi Moder, swete Marie : Of whom com vre encres: ffor riht as Eue, vre furste Moder : Of vre synnes was Roote, Riht so of Marie, þi swete Moder : Sprong hele of al vr boote. Þerfore we ouhten day and niht : To hauen þi Moder In Muynde, To louen hire eke wiþ al vr miht : And seruen hire as þe kuynde. FOr hose loueþ þat ladi wel : Heo gladeþ him in his greef, Heo is solase in eueri serwe : And Medicyn in Mischeef, In eueri serwe or seknesse ouþer : Heo is souereynest leche; No Mon fayleþ þat studefastlych : Vre ladi wol bi-seche. Þouȝ heo helpe nouȝt anon : Beo not þerof agast, ffor ofte heo tarieþ of hir help : To Make Mon studefast.vv. 25-6 are repeated. Þouh heo graunte not þi bone anon : Beo þou not in despeir: ffor, ȝif þou bidde hire studefastly : I fynde ensaumple feir, What serwe or seknesse so þou soffre : Þorw hire þou schalt spede. To schewe þe þat bi good ensaumple : A ffeir Miracle I Rede. [I]N þe Cite of Viuari : A Munstre I-foundet was In þe honour of vre ladi : Þer schewed was muchel gras: Þer In muynde of vre ladi : Was a swete ymage, To whuch þe peple of þat cuntre : Made gret Pilrymage: ffor hose of serwe or seknesse hadde : Or eny oþur Mis|cheef, Þorw help and socour of vre ladi : Þere he fond Releef. Þidere come seke Mesels monye : Halte, Croked, and Blynde; What-maner seknesse þat Mon soffred : Þer hele was wont to fynde. AMong al oþere þer com a Mon : I-bootned forte be, His leg was brennyng as a fuir : ffrom fot vp to þe kne. fful longe he dwelled in þat Cite : fforte a-byden grace, And eueri day in hope of hele : He visited þat same place, To Marie his boones he bed : His hele forte haue: He felede no leggaunce of his peyne : ffor al þat he may craue; Him þhouhte þat he died almost : ffor serwe and peyne and wo. He was Counseyled hewe of his leg : Þen longe to suffre so. Hym þhouȝte euere so leng so wors : While he haunted þat stude, Þerfore riht as counseiled he was : So bi his leg he dude; ffor al þe while he was so seek : He feled neuere lisse ne lith, Þerfore hym þouȝte beter legles : Þen so to suffre þer-wyþ. Whon his leg was smiten of : Þe kneo, þat was bi-laft, He heled hit vp wiþ salues and drunches : And plastres of leche-craft. Þerafturward whon he was hol : He haunted þe same stude, He bad and offred to vre ladi : As he bi-fore þer dude. But as he kneled þer on a day : His Bedes for to bidde, Er he passet out of þe place : Þis feir Miracle bi-tidde: [Wiþ]om. wepe and wringyng serufoly : To Marie he made his pleynt: "Allas, Marie, Modur of grace : In sum synne I am Cleynt! ffor alle þat soffren serwe and sor : Þe seke, þe Croked, þe blynde, In eny Mischef hose preyeþ to þe : Sum grace þei may fynde, Saue I sunful Caytyf out-cast : In þe may fynde non." Wiþ syk and serwe, swounyng al-most : To Marie he makeþ his mon. And as he was in such serwyng : And mihte not stunte of wepe, A-Middes alle his moste serwe : He fel riht [s]ofte on slepe. Him þhouȝte in sweuene, a fe[i]r ladi : Hondelede hym bi þe kne And drouh out þer-of a newe leg : As furst was wont to be. Whon he a-wok, he groped his leg : He feled hit hol and sount, In al his lyf neuer lihtore : Whon he wende on þe grount. Þen alle Men menskenr. mensked þe Mylde ladi : Þat seȝen þis open Miracle. In alle Mischeues heo is Medecyn : Aȝeyn seknesse obstacle. Þerfore good is þat eueri mon : Serue vre swete ladi; In alle synnes and serwes eke : Heo geteþ to vs Merci. Now, ladi Marie, qween of heuene : And Emperisse of helle, Help vs þat we mowe wiþ þe : ffor euere In Ioye dwelle! VI. [hou a iew lente a cristenemon moneye, and took vre lady to borow.](Picture.) At Constantynnoble in þat Cite Dwelled a Marchaunt of herte fre, Sumtyme was riche, ful of lewte, And after fel in pouerte; And, as þe Bokes telles vs, He was i-clept Teodorus. He louede god and vre ladi, And serued þat Mayden speciali. And in þat Cite, soþliche, A Ieuh þer dwelled, was wonder Riche; In his lay he hedde good name, He was I-clepet Abrahame. Theodorus he louede wele, Gret lykyng hedde wiþ him to dele. Theodorus hedde þouht and care, ffor he nedde not wiþ to chaffare; He caste him þerfore to borwe. To þe Ieuh he wente a-Morwe; Þer he told him his Mischeef And preiede hym of sum Releef, Of his Gold him for to lene, And þus to hym he gon hym mene. Þe Ieuh onswerde wiþ gret honour: "Loke hou þou maiht make me seur Me to paye at certeyn day, And þe to helpe I schal assay." Theodorus seide: "icham be-hynde, ffor me þer wol no Mon hym bynde; He þat sum-tyme was my fere Me passeþ bi wiþ-outen chere. But ȝif þou dorstest be so hardi To take vr ladi seinte Mari ffor my Borw, be Mi ffay, I schulde þe pay wel at þi day." Þe Ieuh seide: "my goode feere, I graunte þe, sire, þi preyere, ffor I haue herd ofte-siþe Þat ladi is Corteis and Bliþe, Men seiþ heo wol hem neuer fayle Þat in hire seruise wol trauayle. Þerfore go we in to ȝour chirche, And þer þis forward we wol worche; Þer is an ymage of hire iliche, A-Rayed wel wiþ Iuweles Riche: Tac þou hire me þer bi þe hond! Of þe kep i non oþur bond." Whon he hed seid, þei gonne to gon. To þat churche þei comen anon. Theodorus In good Manere Kneled a-doun, bad his preyere, And aftur þat wiþ good visage Went hym vp to þat ymage, And tok hit bi þat on hond, And bad þe Ieuh scholde to him fond, And seide: "sire, so god me saue, ffor my Borwh þis ladi haue, Þat i schal paye þe at my day Treweliche and wel al þi Monay Þat þou schalt me nou take, Al my disese wiþ to slake." Þe Ieuh him tok a summe of gold, Good Moneye and wel I-told, And sette hym þer a certeyn day Him to paye hit wiþ-oute delay. Þe Cristen Mon þen was ful fayn, Þey wenten hom ful fayn a-ȝayn. And he arrayed him ful fast A schip wiþ seil and eke a Mast: To Alysaundre he gon sayle. Þer he a-Ryued wiþ-outen fayle. Þenne he bouȝte faste and solde, And eueri day þe pons tolde He won faste day by day. Þe ȝeer passed sone a-way. He þouhte so muche on his wynnyng ffor-ȝat þe day of his paȝyng, Til þe Euen was I-comen A-Morwe schulde paye þat he hedde nomen. Hit fel in to his Muynde þon He schulde bi holde a fals Mon; To þat Cuntre so fer a-twynne In so schort while miht he not wynne fforte holde his day of paye. Bote to vr ladi he gon to praye Hym to counseyle and to rede What mihte þenne be his beste spede; And cast hit in herte outurly To truste in god and vre ladi. He tok hym þenne a luytel kyst, Þer-Inne he putte, þat no wiht wist, Þe summe of gold, verreyment, Þat þe Ieuh hedde hym I-lent, And a lettre, þat seide þus: "Þis to Abraham Ieuh sent Theodorus;" Aftur þat, wiþ his hond Aboute wiþ Iren he hit bond, In to þe séé þen he hit cast, Preied vr ladi ben Schip and Mast, Hit to saue In Godes nam To þe Ieuh Abraham. Þe Ieuh a-Ros vppon þe Morn, As I ow telle, wiþ-oute scorn, And stilliche forþ gon he stalke To þe séé-syde, þer forte walke, Þat Ebbet and flowed faste bi his house Þer he dwellede and his spouse. Soone he was war wel I-nouh Of a Cofre, touward hym drouh, ffloterynge in þat salte séé. Gret wonder he hedde what hit miȝt be. fful sone to hym he hit vp nom, Vndur his arm he bar hit hom. he fond þer-Inne, verrement, Þe gold þat he hedde furst and lent; Beo þe lettre he wuste also ffrom what Mon þat hit com fro. He caste hit þenne in to an Ark, Þat was boþe styf and stark. To telle þerof no wiht him luste, But wente him forþ as no wiht wuste. Longe afturward in Godes nome Theodorus was comen home. Wiþ him þer mette mony on Þat him welcomede swiþe son. Wiþ Abraham þe Ieuh he mette, fful Corteysliche he hym grette And þonked hym of his fordede, And preied god schulde quite his Mede. þe Ieuh seide þo: "so mot I þe, I trouwe þat þou scorne me; Whi hast þou broken þi terme-day Of þe payȝement of Mi Monay?" Theodorus seide: "þou wost wel, I haue þe payed eueridel; I take my Borwh to my witnesse, I owe þe nouþer More no lesse; Go we to churche boþe i-fere, And þer þe soþe þou schalt here." "I graunte wel," quaþ þe Iewe; "But þou me paye þou schalt hit rewe!" Þe Iew made hit wonder touh And wende hit hedde beo good I-nouh. Whon þei were bi-fore þat ymage Þat for þe gold was mad his gage, Theodorus seide wiþ Mylde steuene: "Ladi, as þou art qween of heuene, Help me nou from worldly schome, I preye þe in þi sones nome; Þou wost wel, ladi, þer þou sist, I putte þe gold in to a kist And, to þis Ieuh þat hit schulde wende, I preyed þe hit to him sende. As I truste on þi sone and þe, Ladi, þe soþe scheuh for me." ÞE ymage spac, as god hit wolde, And seide: "Ieuh, þou hast þi golde, And in þe botme of þyn ark Þer þou hast leid eueri Mark." Þe Iewh wox a-schomed þo And graunted wel þat hit was so. Alle þat leeued on his lay A-schomed weren þat ilke day. Þer he hedde saumple bi good dome Cristene mon forte bi-come.— Þis ladi is ful gracius, Þat þenkeþ euere þus on vs. Þerfore to hire loke þou be trewe, And chaunge we hire not for non newe! Heo wole vs helpe in vre Mischeef In þis world to vsr. vr Releef, And afturward wiþ-outen mis Geten vs heuene-riche blis Þorw þe grace of hire sone, Wiþ him þere forte wone. And þat hit mote so be Seiþ alle AMen, Par charite. AMEN. VII. [Of a prest þat lay by a nonne.](Picture.) IN Bok we fynde, as we Rede, Of a preest, was wylde of dede, Þat was I-wounde in mony a vice, But at þe laste he was not? read so nyce And to synne so wel dude wone Þat wiþ a Nonne he hedde to done. Þerof wolde he him not schryue Til þat he schulde lete þe lyue. Ȝit he serued vre Ladi Day bi day ful specialy, Matyns and vres day Bi day Of hire he seide wiþ-oute delay. At þe laste he fel seek, And schulde be ded as we schulen ek. Vr ladi þat he hedde in Reuerence Wolde he schulde clanse his Concience, And þat hym fel riht wel in Mynde, A trusti frend ȝif he mihte fynde. A prest þer was he louede wel, He tolde his lyf to Eueridel; He sykede sore and criede Merci Þat god schulde on him haue pite forþi, And for his synnes was sori. He preyed þe prest ful feiþfuli Þat, as þei hedden be felawes long, He schulde þenken on him a-mong His Masse and his Almes-dede, Þat God mihte quite hym his Mede And þat his soule þat was vngeyne Þe sannore mihte passe out of peyne. Þat oþer, þat he wolde, he seide. After he dyȝede, In eorþe was leyde. ÞE prest forsoþe for-ȝat hym nouht, But euere hedde hym in his þouht, Al þat ȝeer, day Bi day, He song his Masse, as I ow say, Þat O day he song of vre Ladi, Þat oþer of Requiem, sikerli. Al þe ȝer þis Charge he nom. Atte laste his Mynde-day com. As he stod at his Masse þo, After þe sacryng In Memento, He sauh stonden him bi-fore Þe ffeireste ladi þat euere was bore, Vppon þe Auter þer he stod. Heo seide to him wiþ Mylde Mod: "Þou hast me trauaylet wiþ þi preyere, Now at þis tyme to ben here. As þou hast preyed in þi Messe, I haue geten forȝiuenesse To þi felawe of my sone dere Of al þat euere he mis-dude here; Of his peyne he is releset, And his Ioye schal ben encreset; Lo wher he kneleþ þe bi-hynde: To ben I-hoselet he haþ in Mynde." ÞE prest torned hym softely And sauh him knele faste by; Anon wiþ godes Bodi Hoselde him deuoutli. Þen sauh þe prest vr ladi þer Come a-doun of þat Auter And take his felawe bi þe honde, Out of þe Chirche forte fonde. Of þis siht he was ful fayn, And tornede to his Masse a-ȝayn; Þerof þenne he made an ende, Preyed god grace him to sende Þorw preyere of his Moder dere, So to lyuen and to don here, After þis world þat is al wast To haue þe blisse þat euer schal last.— Wel are we holden day and niht Worschipen hire wiþ al vr miht Þat euer is so redi diht To bringen vs alle to heuene-liht. And þat hit mote so be, Seyeþ to hire an Aue! VIII. [hou vre lady ȝaf mylk off heore pappes to a man þat hadde þe squynacye.](Picture.) A Mon of gret deuociun Was sum-tyme in Religiun, Þe Bok seiþ he was a Monk, And in godes seruise swonk; To vr ladi he was deuout, Hire to serue euer was a-bout. Whon he herde of hire eny speche, Of al his dissese þat was his leche, Þat hedde he leuere þen drinke or ete, ffor Ioye þe teres wolde he lete. Of oþer þinges rouht he nouht, So swete on hire was his þouht. Þat tyme riht as men doþ floures Men gederede furst Matines and vres Þat men vsen now of vre ladi, And seiden hem deuoutly; Whose mihte hem þenne gete, His (!)r. Hit was holde for Miracle grete. Þis Monk hem hedde, I ow say, And seide hem riht wel eueri day, And mony a special preyere Þat men han mad of hire here. Atte laste, as hit schulde falle, Þe Monkes þrote grete swalle, Men called þat vuel Comuynli, Þat he hedde, þe Qwinaci. His vuel bi-gon so to encrese, Wiþ-outen eny relece, Þat al þat þer abouten stood Seide he was ded, bi þe Rood! But neuer-þeles hit was not so. Vre ladi com to hym þo, As he tolde aftur mony a Mon, His leche to ben, as heo wel con; Wiþ hire pappe in to his Mouþ Milk heo spreynt, þat is selcouþ! And seide to him: "Mi seruaunt swete, I am comen þi bale to bete; Wiþ my seruauns haue I be, lo: Þat Made me beo so longe þe fro. Beo not a-ferd, þou schalt not dye, I schal þe hele of Maladye, Þi feire þrote þat me haþ serued I schal not soffre beo ouer-torned, Þy vois þat þou dest wiþ me grete At þis tyme schaltou not forlete, And, for ichaue ben longe from þe, Þe sannore schaltou heled be." Vnder his nekke heo putte hire Arm, Wiþ hire swete fyngres stroked his harm. Þe swellyng slaked, he feld no sore. He set him vp anon-riht þore. Hym þouȝte verreliche i-nouh Þat heo aweiward from hym drouh: And after hire faste he rauhte, But he hire take mihte nauhte. Þen he cried an heih al oute To hem þat weren hym aboute: "Vn-Corteis folk ȝe ben, I-wis, Whi worschiped ȝe not þe queen of Blis, AMong ou alle a space i-lete Þat þe ladi mihte haue sete? Ne seih ȝe nouht hou louh heo went, Wiþ þe dost wel neih be-schent, ffor to salue me of my sore Whon my lyf was wel neih lore? Wiþ ȝor noise, ȝe folk vn-þriue, Out of þis hous ȝe han hire driue." Þerwiþ he wepte for Ioye wel glad; And euer was hire seruaunt sad, Worschuped hire Corteis and hende Euer to his lyues ende.— Oþur help or oþur leche Vs nedeþ not no forþere seche But Mari, Modur and Maiden clene, In heuene þat is so briht and schene. Preye we, heo preye hire sone Ihesus Þat euere he haue Merci on vs, Þat to his blisse he take vs to Þat is and schal ben euer-mo. Amen. IX. [Of an incontinent monk, þat was drouned, and rered aȝeyn by vre lady to lyf.] A Sexteyn was in an Abbey Of þe Ordre of Monkes grey, Þat louede to worschipe vr ladi; But fallen he was In lecheri. Whon his Breþren were to bedde i-gon, He wolde gon as stille as ston Out of Cloystre on his wilde-hede, fforte parfourne his misdede. Þauh he hiȝed faste for his Corage, Euere he wolde grete þe ymage Þat in þe chirche was mad of vre ladi, As ofte as he passed hit by. Hit bi-fel vppon a niht, To his walk he hedde hym diht, Bi þat ymage passed he And grette hit wiþ an Aue. Vnder þe Abbeye a water Ron, Þer-ouer was a Brugge of ston: Ouer þat Brugge lay his pas. But him bi-fel a wondur cas: As a mon þat hedde ben a-teynt He fel a-doun and was I-dreynt. Þer comen ffendes fers and felle To fecche his soule in to helle. A Cumpaygnye of Angeles swete Þorw Godus pite dude wiþ himr. hem? mete, Ȝif þei mihte þorw godus gras Helpe þe soule of sum solas. Þe ffendes criȝeden sone anon: "Ȝe wiþ þis soule haue nouȝt to don, He is Iugget wiþ vs to gon ffor þe Misdedes þat he haþ don." Þe Angeles al astoneyet were, ffor þei mihte schewe no good werk þere Wherfore þei mihte him calange And wiþ hem lede forþ in heore range. But as þei stonden alle a-gast, Þer com vre ladi swiþe fast. Heo seide: "þis soule whi haue ȝe take, Ȝe foule ffendes blo and Blake?" Þei onswerde sone schortly: "ffor he diede sodeynly Wiþ-outen eny gode dede; Þerfore we schulen him quite his mede." Vr ladi seide: "ȝe sey falsly; Whon-euer he went and passed me bi, He grette me wiþ an Aue, And þus he tok leue of me, Als euere he,om. he whon he com a-ȝeyn, To sey an Aue he was fayn. Ȝe schul not sei we take hym ow fro Wiþ strengþe ne Manas ner-þe-Mo: Put we hit In þe Iuggement Of þe heiȝe kyng, verreyment." As þei þus striuen I-fere, Þorw Maries Mylde prey[er]e Hit lyked God, of alle souereyn, Þe soule to þe bodi wender. sende? a-ȝeyn, Þat he mihte here him-self aMende, Til god wolde aftur hym sende. His breþeren þat slepten in here wyse Weren awaked and wolden aryse, Gret wonder þei hedden hem among Whi þe sexsteyn was so long . . . . . [rest of miracles wanting]

The next 40 leaves, f. CXXVI b—CLXVI b, are wanting, with the rest of Mary's Miracles (c. 7000 vv.), which, according to the Index, ended f. CXXXIIII, and the following poems, as given in the Index: f. CXXXIIII, þe seuene psalmes. To euery apostel an orysoun. An orisoun to alle þe apostles. An orison to seynt Michel. An orysoun to seynt Ion þe bap|tist. Salutacions to ihesu crist. An orysoun to þe Trynite. Salutacious to · vre lady. O vere beata & intemerata. An orysoun of bede off þe seuene wordes þat crist spak last in þe cros. Letanie off vre lady þat seynt bernard made. Oþur orisones to vre lady. Matyns of þe passioun. Orisons off seynt Anselmes Meditaciouns.

Then follow Þe Gospeles, f. CLXVI b—CCXXVII, on which see Altengl. Leg. N. F., p. LXXI ff; amongst them a later addition, the Sermon de festo corporis cristi.

 XXX. De festo corporis cristi. [Panem angelorum manducauit homo.om. in Vern.]

Ed. before in Herrig's Archiv LXXXII, p. 167 ff. Of the 3 MSS. of this homily, MS. Harl. 4196 contains an older, northern text, MSS. Dd 1, 1, and Vernon a southern transformation. MS. Dd was written before MS. Vernon, but adds an introduction of 38 vv.; MS. Vernon adds a 2nd homily: Septem Miracula de corpore cristi, from Robert of Brunne's Handlyng Synne. Cf. Altengl. Leg. N. F., p. LXVIII, LXXIII, LXXXII.

 MS. Vern., f. CXCV b. ȜE lewede Men, takeþ hede—*(See l. 39* below.) ffor þeos clerkes haþ non nede Þat I hem opene þis latyn, ffor heo hit conne wel a-fyn, ffor holy Churche hit singeþ meste, Nomeliche of þis newe feste. Ac noþeles hit is ful olde Þat Dauid in þe psauter tolde: ffor þis is þe latyn þat Dauid sede Þat "Mon ete Angeles Brede;" And þat is soþ, for so hit wes Þe tyme of þe prophete Moyses. [He]om. was in Egipte in gret truage, And godus folk in foul seruage, Vnder þe kyng Pharaon Þer was mony a þousund mon. Longe hit were al to telle; But atte laste hit þus bifelle Þat god nolde soffre hit no more His owne folk in þraldam wore, And god bad Moyses he scholde fle Wiþ his folk þorwh þe Rede séé. Þo Moyses to þe séé com, Al druye his folk wiþ hym he nom: Þe séé stod vp-riht as a wal, Til þei weore I-passed al. Kyng Pharao him suwed faste Wiþ his Chares and his hoste; And whon þei weore alle in þe séé, God torned heore strengþe a-ȝe, So þat þei were ouer-seynt, And he and alle hise weren i-dreynt. In þis place hit mai beo sede Þat mon ete Angeles brede: Þat tyme þat Moyses ladde þus His grete host In wildernus God dude lete reyne a-doun As hit were flour gret foysun, Manna, so hit is I-write, And is I-clept Angeles Mete. Heo hit gedrede and liueden þerbi, And sunged sore I wol telle ou whi: Þei gederde more, for drede of brede, Þen vche day þei hedde to nede; And hit nolde not ben on Morwe fforte kepe ne for to Borwe. Ich holde þis a badde store To vche Mokerere þat biddeþr. biggeþ more Of Catel þen he haþ to nede His owne Meyne forte fede; He buggeþ Corn aȝeyn þe ȝere And kepeþ hit til hit beo dere. "Þer-of he doþ wysliche, Ȝif he departe hit skilfulliche." Nay, forsoþe, þenkeþ he nouht To pore men parten ouht; Bouȝte he neuere so good chepe, He reweþ nout þe pore wepe; He ne rouhte how al þe world ȝode, So þat his owne bi-ȝete were goode. ffor þis is þe Mokereres onswere: "Goþ or wey, Corn is dere!" And forsoþe, wiþ-oute gabbe, Þe same onswere he schal habbe Whon alle þe Angeles in heuene beoþ And alle on eorþe þat þoleþ deþ Schul ben at a parlement: Þen þe Mokerere schal be schent; Þer he schal vbbreyded beo Of God him-self, þat is al freo, In what manere he haþ spent Þe godus þat God on eorþe him lent. Þere god him-self schal ȝiue þe dome— He may beo adred er he þer come; ffor þis is þe word þat God wol say To þe Mokerere at Domes-day, And Certeynliche to non oþur mon But to þe wrecche Mokerere þon: "I hungred whon þou wernedest me mete; I was a-ffurst, I coude not gete; Herborweles, þou me forsoke; Seek, in prisun, þou ne come me to loke; A-Cold, Cloþeles also, Naked þou me lette go: Þerfore, Mokerere, þou wende to helle, Wiþ alle þe deuelen þer euere to dwelle." Þe wrecche Mokerere onswere schal þan "Lord, whon sauh we þe neodi Man?" "Ȝus, whon ȝe warned þe leste of myne, Ȝe warned hit me wel a-fyne;" And þere hemor. him tit heore onswere: "Goþ to helle, for heuene is dere." At Domes-day þe meste schennes Hit falleþ vppon þe nyþinges; ffor þei neuermore wole hem schryue Þat þei weore niþinges in heore lyue, But euere heore onswere hit is þus "We ȝiuen more þen men ȝiuen vs."— Torne we to vre gospelle, Of þe folk of Ysraelle, Hou þei gedrede Angeles brede More þen þei hedde to nede. Þerfore god wroþ was Þat þei trist not to his gras, And let hem dye; and were I-slay ffourti þousund on a day, ffor þat gult and oþur eke, And godus heste þat þei breke; Þat of sixe [hundred]om. and twentir. thirti? Cf. Num. 1, 46, Ex. 38, 25. þousende— Þus muche was þe noumbre to toknynge— Þat þer come non to londe freo Saue tweyne, Calef and Iosue— And of þulke tweyne com al þe strene Of vre ladi, heuene-Qweene.— Now is wel sene to-day Þat he loueþ vs more þen þay. ffor he ne sende hem but Angel brede, Þat lasteþ but a day to nede, He haþ send us a Ricchor sonde: His owne bodi, ich vndurstonde, Þat wol laste euere þe soule wiþ-Inne Whil þou art out of dedly synne. Þat was I-pyned for vre nede To-day þou seost In ffourme of brede. And þauh I wol ȝow schewe and telle Beo þis ensaumple hou hit bi-felle, Þat is writen In þe Legent Of þi[s] holy sacrament. Videmus in altari formam panis, non carnis, & quare. A Iew sum tyme and a Cristene mon Were felawes in þe wey vppon. And bi þe wey, as riht was, Þe Cristene Mon herde Rynge to Mas. Þe Cristene Mon seide: "a-byd me here, Whil I go to my preyere!" Þe cristene mon wente in to þe churche. And þe Iew bi-gon to grucche, ffor hym þhouȝte his felawe was To longe biddinger. bidinge atte Mas. Þe Iew ros vp and forþ ede In to þe Churche, to take hede. Þen sauh he atte weuede Þe Prest holde ouer his heuede A ffeir child, I-woundet sore In ffot, in hond; ȝit sauh he more Þat þer nas nouþur wyf nor mon Of alle þat in þe Chirche were on Þat ne helde vp here hondes and sat on kne; And from þat child sauh come fle Anoþur such as he sauh stonde, A[nd] lihte bi-twene vche monnes honde. Þe Ieuh a-Bod, til þe Prest Vsede þe Eukarist, Þen sauh he him ete þe child Þat he bi-twenen his hondes held; And al þat weore in þe churche þermide Þe Ieuh þhouȝte þat so heo dude. Þe Ieuh was agrise and wente him hyde Þer his felawe him bad abyde, And bi him-self he seide þan: "A grisly lyf haþ Cristen Man!" Þe Cristene Mon aftur þe mas Com to þe stude þer þe Iew was. Þe Ieuh asked: "hou farestou?" Þe Cristene mon seide: "better þen þou; ffor siþen ichaue my god seye, Þe lihtore ich holde al my weye." Þe Iew seide: "beo my scolle, Wel ouhte þi wombe be fulle! Hedde I so muchel I-ȝete, Þis þreo dayes nolde I no mete." "fforsoþe," quaþ þe cristene mon, "To-day sayȝ I siht of non, Non eorþliche kunnes mete Þat my Mouþ mihte ete." "Let beo! I sauh wiþ myn eȝen two Where þou and oþur mo, Vche of ow heold a child blodie, And siþen ȝe eten hit, I nul not lye; Wherfore i seye þat oure= ȝoure lawe Is not good." bi þat sawe Þe Cristen mon bi-gon to beo wroþ; "Þou lyest, Iew, þou art me loþ; Ȝoure lawe is fals, and so ȝe ben, Ȝe wol not leeue but þat ȝe sen. Þerfore al-one Iom. 1? go þe bi, I kepe no more þi cumpaygni." Þe Iew seide: "ffelawe, greef þe nouht Þeih I telle þe what I sayh and þouht, Ac tel me bi sum oþur preue Wher-bi I may þe soþe leue!" "Þis is þe skile," quaþ þe Cristene man, "Þat god nout soffreþ þe þan Þat þou seȝe wiþ þin eȝe Þe sacremens þat ben so sleȝe, Þat his fflesch mihte so ben hud To vs cristene wiþ-inne þe bred. And þy kun made hym dye, Þerfore al blodi þou hym seȝe." "ffelawe," quaþ þe Iew þon, "Help þat I were a Cristene mon; ffor leuere ichaue cristned ben Þen euere seo such a siht aȝen." Þo was þe Iew cristned, and oþur mo, ffor þe Miracle þat fel þo.— Þis Bred þat is godus flesch, What feiror preue wolde men esch Þat vche part is godus entere? Þeih hit weore parted in þreo quartere, And þeih hit weore an hundred dole, Vche part is his bodi al hole. And þat loke bi skile, lo here: Bi-hold þi-self in a schewere: Þou ne sest but onliche þi faas, Þe while al hol is þe glaas; And brek þe glas in two or þre, And so moni formesr. faces þou miht se.— Beo þe makyng of þe oblee Wel and skilfoliche me may se Of wȝuche we make Godus fflesch, Þis is þe saumple whose wol esch. Hit is maad beo seuen skiles Aȝeyn þe seuene dedly synnes: Aȝeyn Lecherie hit is whit, Þat was Blak and stynkynge euere ȝit. Hit is þunne a-ȝeyn Glotenye, Þat al to muche wole swolewye. Hit is round and liht to þrowe, Aȝeyn Sleuþe, þat makeþ men slowe. Of swete whete mad hit is, Aȝeyn Wraþþe, þat is bitternis. Hit is mad wiþ-oute leueyn: Aȝeyn Envye hit stont aȝeyn, ffor Envye makeþ Men swelle Whon he seoþ eny spede welle. Hit is also wiþ-oute Bryn Or eny oþur Corn þer-In: Hitr. þat is a-ȝeyn Couetyse, Þat ne reccheþ In what wyse Eny catel vndurfonge, Beo hit Riht beo hit wronge. Hit is þerto clene and luyte, Aȝeyn Pruide, þat euer ȝute Wolde beo gret and heiȝ of wille, As Lucifer, þat furst felle ffor his Pruide out of heuene. Do we þis Bred aȝeyn þis seuene! Candida, triticia, tenuis, non magna, rotunda, Expers frumenti,r. fermenti non mixta sit hostia Cristi.— And hou hit furst com and ede Þat mon ete Angeles Brede, Hit is liht soþ to telle, ffor vche cristene mon wot hit welle. Þe laste soper wiþ-outen wene Was I-mad atte Ceene, And God bad þe Apostles do so Whon he weore to heuene I-go; "Do þis in þe muynde of me; I go and come to ow a-ȝe." Of þe Apostles þat God sent [tok] holichurche þe sacrament.— Et dicitur Eukaristia Quasi bona gracia: Þat is to siggen, eukarist As goode grace com from crist. Wel may we seyen hit is good grace Whon hit is wardeyn in godus place! And grace is betere þen nature, Whose þerto wol take cure.— I rede þe mon be in good entent Whose takeþ þis grace in sacrement: Seint poul seiþ, and siggen I may, In þe pistel of to-day1 Cor. 11, 29.: "Whose vnworþiliche ȝode To fonge Godus fflesch and blode, Þere he fongeþ his owne dome"— Allas, hit falleþ so to lome! Þerfore poul seiþ bi þat halue: "her. ho? demeþ not God, he demeþ him-selue." In þulke whose i-take be, Schal he neuere beo dampned a-ȝe; Ȝif we vre owne dom take, What oþur dom schal God vs make? Þerfore make ow alle Redi To take hit not as fool-hardi.— Þeih seint Poul vs þrete þus, Vr lord hym-self, swete Ihesus, Þis day in Markesr. Johnes. gospelle To his disciples he gon telle, And to þe Iewes þat were ryue: "I am my-self Bred of lyue.Joh. 6, 48. Joh. 6, 56-9."Mi fflesch soþfast mete is, And my Blod verrey drinke, iwis. Whos eteþ mi flesch and drinkeþ my blode, Here begins MS. Simeon.I wone wiþ hym and he wiþ me.vv. 290 & 291 transp. in the MS. Mi ffader me sent and so I ȝode, To lyue for hym and he for me: SoMS. ffor whose me eteþ, for me schal libbe. Þis is þe Bred þat from heuene come,vv. 293 & 294 transp. in the MS. Not lyk Manna, þat flour be sibbe, Þei þat hit ete, weore dede bi dome, And hose eteþ of þis brede, He schal hue wiþ-outen ende." Ihesu, graunt vs so to spede WiþMS. þat; Sim. Wiþ þulke bred to heuene wende. Amen. Off þulke Bred in þe gospelle Seint Ion we here þus telle:Joh. 6, 54. Þat ȝif we ne ete of þulke brede Ne drynke his blood, vr lyf were dede.— And þeih we ete hit al þus here, Hit is in heuene al entere. So schaltou leeue, Cristene mon, Þat in no weere þi leue beo on! ffor þi feiþ tit no mede Where þing of deþ takest hede; Hit is inpossyble to serue crist But þi be-leeue beo good and trist. And eȝe of feiþ hit is ful kene Þat seoþ a siht þat is not sene. Þerfore alle þing þat we [ne] seoþ Leeue we as holychirche deþ, ffor þat I holde þe rihte fey And to heuene þe nexte wey.— To telle more I mot nede Hou men ete Angeles Brede. Of ffoles I herde herby-fore Þat wyse men toke of hem heore lore, And so a sek mon mihte teche A good skile perauenture bifore a leche. Þis Bred mihter. may neuermore be spende Tilr. ffor God hym-self on eorþe hit sende, To saue mon fro pyne of helle, So þat he kepe hit welle. Sum tyme such lawe þer was Þat vche sonday after mas Eueri trewe wyf and Mon Schulde be hoseled or þei eode þon.2 vv. wanting, ef. Harl. 387-8. . . . . . And þat for þis enchesun, I wol ow telle for what resun: On was, for þat folk mis-bere Hem-selue, whon þei hoseled were. Þe toþer was, for þe grete trauayle Þat holy churche hedde be þat entayle, In nome of þat for Godus drede Me ȝiueþ nou þe holy Brede. Þerfore þe pope ordeyned, þries in þe ȝere Vche mon I-hoscled were; And bote he were ones atte leste, Þe pope Comaundet be his heste Þulke bodi þat so ne dede Schuld neuer be buried in holy stude. Þerfore beo redi, I ow Rede, fforte fonge Angeles Brede. And beo þis Bred I wol ȝou telle A luytel ensaumple hou hit bi-felle. De manu sacerdotis þer hostiam penetrata. BE-fel sum tyme In Engelonde, Þer was a prest, ich vndurstonde, Þat ladde not his lyf, as was tolde, Also clanliche as he scholde. God wolde he scholde hym amende, And he hym a strong vuel gon sende, So, he wende almost to dye. And on a day þis siht he seȝe: A child boþe he seih and herde, AndH. þat asked hym hou he ferde; In his hond bret-ful he beere Of bernynge Obeleis a paniere. Þe prest asked: "what is þat, And þou þat askest of my stat?" He seide: "Ich am Godes Messagere, And þeos Obeleis þat ben here, Þus monye vnworþily þou fong, Whon þat þou þi Masse song; And ȝif þat þou nult I-leue me, Scheuh forþ þyn hond, and þou schalt se." Þe prest heold forþ his hond anon, And þe child tok vp on Of þe obeleys þat were so rede, And pult hit in þe prestes hond amidde. Hit fel þorwh þe prestes hond on, And þe child a-wey gan gon. Þe prest let men come hym to And tolde hem whi he ferde so: "Lo," quaþ he, "hou I am diht! Who sauh euere such a siht?" Þat þorw his hond me mihte se As brod as was þat obele. And he not I-maymed nas, And afturward song mony a Mas, And an hole þorwh his hond— Þus þat soþe men hit fond. After for a þousend pound of golde Þe prest no more synne wolde, But serued god wiþ gret drede, And afturward to heuene ȝede.— I holde þe Mon more þen mad Þat takeþ þis bred and nis not drad Of þe wreche þat mihte bi-falle. So worþi bred hit is wiþ-alle Þat for þe miht of þulke word Þat god seide at his owne bord, Þe same miht þat word haþ here, To torne þe bred in oþur manere, And to torne þe wyn in blode, Þe same þat was sched on Rode. Þe wordus perauenture I coude telle, Ac I am not worþi and þerfore I nelle. Ac oþur makyng of þe Mas I dar wel telle hou hit was. Þe Apostles seide no more But what þei herde of cristes lore— No more to þe masse nolde þei do, And þe paternoster to, vppe þe bred and vppe þe wyn— And so hem þhouȝt hit good and fyn. Non oþur vestimens vsud þay But as þei wereden vche day; And in vessels of treo— Non oþur chalys hedden heo. Þenne þe pope vrban, Þat was a ful holy man, Ordeynde þat þe Chalys scholde Ben of seluer or of golde, Wiþ a patin, to hule ouer al, Maked of þe same Metal. ÞE pope Celestyne, ordeyned he, A psalme Men clepeþ Iudica me Þat vche prest þat is and was Schulde siggen hit er he eode to Mas. ÞE Nyne kyries þat ben in Boke Þe pope Siluestre of gru hem toke. Þcr-aftur comeþ Gloria in excelsis: Þe Angeles of heuene furst song þis; Ofr. And? or þan? seint hillari þat was Erche-bisschop of peytas, He made from laudamus te Þe remenaunt þen synge we. ÞEnne þe pope Tollophornus, And þat oþur pope Cynacus, Bi-twene hem boþe ordeyned was To synge þe Gloria to þe Mas4 vv. wanting. . . . . . He hit Confermede, pope Gregori, And made þerto þe Offertori. ÞEnne þe pope Anastasius Comaundet in lawe riht þus: Þat no mon schulde sitte, he beede, Whil þe gospel were to Rede. Constantinus þe pope (!) made þe crede, fforte siggen hit he bede. Pope Steuene and pope Clemens Ordeyned þe holy vestimens. Pope Ciluester ordeyned þe Corporas, In tokne þat godus bodi was In clene lynnen cloþ I-wounde Þat tyme þat Iosep hit founde In his owne toumbe of ston And leyde a-noþur gret vppon. ÞEnne þe Pope Leouns Made alle þe Prefaciuns. Alisaundre þe Pope ordeynde þis: To do watur and wyn In þe Chalis, In tokne þat boþe com watur and blode Of Godus syde on þe Roode; Þe blood bi-tokneþ þat he vs bouht, Þe watur bi-tokneþ vre ffullouht. Sixtus þe Pope ordeynde vs Þryȝes to synge Sanctus. Þe PopeHarl. Ielasius made þe Canoun þer, And God made þe Pater noster. [A]nd hou and what-maner bi-felle Þat God made þe paternoster, I wol telle. His Apostles seide hym on a day: "Teche vs, lord, how we schul pray." And seint Ionr. Luc (11, 2). haþ tauht vs þis— Þat is on of his disciples— Þat Ihesus tauhte hem þis preyer And bad hem seyen þe Pater noster. And þus muchel to seyen hit is: "Vr ffadur þat in heuene is, Halewed mot þy nome beo. And to þi kyngdam þat we teo. Þi wille in heuene and eorþe beo do. Vre vche-dayes bred send vs to. And vre dettes for-ȝiue vs, As we for-ȝiue vre dettours. And lede vs in no fondynge, But saue us from vche vuel þinge. Amen." Off þe holigost þe seuen ȝiftis In þe pater noster I-touched is; Of whuche to God þer touched þre, And foure in on to þe. Þis preyere, þeih hit beo schorte, But hit beo seid wiþ a clene herte, Hit is a-ȝein þulke man Þat in his herte wraþþe haþ tan. ÞEnne þe pope Innocent, Pax domini he ordeynt, Þat vche mon schulde cusse oþur And holden him for suster and broþur; In tokne þat god made pes wiþ man, Þerfore þat pes is ȝiuen þan. ÞE laste word of þis heiȝe fest Is I-seid Ite Missa est, Þis is to seye "hit is i-sent To heuene for vs, þis sacrament"; Bi-fore þe holy Trinite Þe furste part of þe þre, Þat oþur for hem þat þoleþr. þoled deþ, Þe þridde for hem þat alyue beþ.— Hit is riȝt þat furst inempned be Vr ladi in þe Canone: ffor God of hire þat flesch toke Þat neuer cristen mon forsoke; Þat flesch he haþ take þe to fede, Þat is i-cleped Aungel Brede. ÞE twelue Apostles I-nempned beþ, ffor heore prechynge þei þolede deþ—

Quia Apostoli dicuntur missi, & Martires testes apostolorum:

As þing i-sent ben þe Apostles, And Martires ben þe Apostles witnes; And alle þe Martires þat weore dede ffor þei weore witnesse of þis Brede, Þat God diȝede for loue of vs, And þei for loue of Ihesus. Petur and Andrew, Philip, þeos þreo weore don vppon þe Rode-treo. Poul, Iames, and Mathew Were be-heuedet, and Bartholomew Was huld al naked quike ffor his witnesse of þis onlike. And þat oþur Iamus, Symon, and Taddeus, Heore senewes for cristen lawe Out of heore bodi were i-drawe. And seint Ion þe Ewangelist, Þat was sib to Ihesu crist, He dronk venym, to make preue Þat we han of þe rihte be-leeue. And seint Thomas Didimus, He was þorwh-stiked Riht þus. Þer-aftur comeþ þe xij Martiris Þat in þe Canoun Rikned is; Of whuche summe Popes were, Summe Bisschops þat Mitre beere, Summe Dekenes þat weore half prest, Summe lewede þat leeuede on crist— ffor alle Ordres and alle degres To þis sacrement bereþ witnes. Leouns, Clemens, and Cletus, Sixtus, and Cornelius, Þeose weore Popus, þat þolede deþ ffor þulke Bred þat we nou seoþ. Ciprian was Bisschop of Cartiginus. Stephene, Laurence, Vincent weore Dekenus. Grisogon, Ion and Paulus, Þei weore in heore lyue knihtus; Cosma and Damianus, Þei weore leches, I-writen is þus. Cecili, and Agnes, and Agace Diede for þis bred of grace. Þerfore is riht heore nomes to be Nempned in þe Canone: ffor alle þeos diȝede In good entent ffor to Meyntyme þe sacrament.— ÞE sacrament mot þe soule fede Þat is i-hote Angeles Brede. Ȝif þou worþiliche hit fonge, Hit schal kepe þe þus longe, ffrom þulke day þat þou ded be Til þi bodi rise a-ȝe; And þenne boþe bodi and soule i-fere Schal wende to þe graunt Mangere Where neuer-more tit no nede To non eorþliche Brede, But þe siht of þe Trinite Schal euermore þi fode be. Seþþhe we han þe Modur to preye þe sone, We han þe sone to prey þe ffader, ÞeMS. þo holygost we han in wone— Þis enteere we haue to-gader: What letteþ vs forte wynne Þe Riche blisse is vs bi-hote, Bote hit beo vr owne synne? Þer nis non oþur þyng, I wote. Of Pardoun I haue no pouste Nonr. Nou? to ȝow forte graunte: But, ȝif ȝe don now aftur me, I wol ow telle a quantite, Hou Muchel pardoun ȝe may habbe To ȝoure meste nede, To come to honoure wiþ-oute gabbe Þis ilke Angeles Brede. þulke þoresday þat next is Aftur þe Trinite, Þe pope vrban ordeynde þis Þat hit schulde þenne be. An hundred dayes of forȝiuenes He graunted alle þay Þat come to þe Matynes Of þulke same day; ffourti dayes for vche a tyde, An hundred for þe Mas, An hundred hose to þe Euensong abyde— He graunteþ hem no las. And al þat wike vche day Þis pardoun lasteþ so, Hose al þe seruyse hauen may; And ȝit he schal han mo: ffor vche dayes seruyse An hundret dayes to bote— Wel him ouȝte to seyen þise On hors and eke on foote. The next vv., wanting in Harl., are a new addition.Þe laste pope þat was nou, Of IonIt is John XXII, 1316-34. þat was hiht, Al þe pardun he graunteþ ow And doubleþ hit wiþ his miht. Meilerous,Miler le Poer, Bishop of Leighlin, Ireland, 1321-41 (cf. Cotton's Fasti II, 384). þorwh godes grace Bisschop of leihlinne, He haþ mendet in þis cas Þorwh miht þat he ȝaf hymme: ffourti dayes to pardoun He haþ ȝiue þerto ȝeteorig. ȝite To alle wiþ good deuocioun Hereþ hit or hit rede. So hit a-mounteþ holliche On and ffourti ȝere And sixcore dayes, treweliche, Whose hereþ his seruyse here. Ihesu graunte ow alle and some On eorþe so forte spede Þat þis pardoun ow make come To þis Angeles Brede. Þat Mon eete Angel Brede, Þus furst we be-gon; To heuene [hit] mot ow alle lede Boþe Wyf and Mon, In nomine patris wiþ ou go, Et spiritus sancti do also. Amen. MS. Dd. 1, 1 Cambr. Univ. Libr., fol. 32 b.Panem angelorum manducauit homo:Dauid in psalmo.

In nomine summi saluatoris, gloriosissimi sublimis creatoris, indiuidue omnipotentis ineffabilis trinitatis, incomprehensibilis et incommutabilis veri dei & hominis, nostri principii, progreditur exordium : veri vbi christus est funda|mentum, nullum boni operis superest edificium: patebunt lingua materna, dei mediante gracia.

The first 38 vv. are wanting in Vernon.In þe name of oure souereyn sauyour, Þat is al-weldinge creatour, Þe heye holi trenyte Þer o god is & personis .iij., Boþe veri god and man; & þe holi gost, alle .iij. but an, be a-mong vs in his grace to wone, to helpe þe speche þat is here begunne. and if þer eny man be here Þat of his beleue haþ ben in a were or haþ errid her-be-fore wher-bi his soule myhte be lore, swich word he mote now here to sauen him fro helle-fere; and alle þat ben in riht fay, Þat þei mote hold þe saf way. and þer-for beseke we him Þat may sauen eueri lyme, to-berste, to-bete bon & felle, to saue vs fro þe fire of helle; and þis day lete his bodi be bore, to techin vs þe riht wey before, and þat he to vs take hede & send vs þing þat we han nede. ffor, as I seyde beforn in latyn, Þat no werk haþ no good fyn, It is nouht worth, verament, but if crist be þe fundament: Þer-for wile we him beseche Þat he be founder of oure speche, and þat it ende in his name, & þat þe foule fend it schame and profite to oure soulis alle, Þat non in mysbeleue ne falle. Þer-for alle þat ben here, preyth for me sum preyere, ffor ihesu cristis owne loue, & also for ȝoure own behoue.— — *Ȝe lewid men, takiþ hede— for þe clerkis han no nede Þat I hem opene þis latyn, for þei it knowe wel & fyn; ffor holi chirche it singiþ meste, nameliche in þis newe feste. But nertheles it is ful old Þat dauid in þe sawtere told: for þis it is þat dauid seyde Þat "Man etiþ aungelis brede;" & þat is soth, for so it wes in tyme of þe prophete moyses. He was in Egipte in gret truage, & goddis folk in foul seruage, vnder þe king pharao Þer was a þousand men & mo. Longe it were al to telle; but atte laste þus it befelle Þat god ne wold suffren it no more his owne folk in thraldom thore, and god bad moyses he schuld fle wiþ his folk þorw þe rede se. and whan moyses to þe se com, al drye his folk wiþ him he nom: Þe se stod vpriht as a walle, til þei were passid alle. King pharao him suyd faste wiþ al his meyne, & al in haste; and whan þei were alle in þe se wiþ-in, God turnid hire strengþe al aȝen, so þat goddis folk was al ouer went & pharao & hise were alle schent. In þis place it may ben seyde Þat man ete aungelis brede: Þe tyme þat moyses lad þus his gret ost in wildernes God fro heuene lete reyne adoun as it were a flour, gret foysoun, Manna, so it is wrete, & it is seyd aungelis mete. Þei it gaderid & lyuid þer-bi, & synnyd sore I wile telle ȝow whi: Þei gaderid mor of bred Þan eueri day þei had to ned; and it wolde not ben on morwe for to kepe ne for to borwe. I holde þis a badde stor to eueri mokerere þat wold han mor of catel þan he haþ to nede his owne meyne for to fede; he bieþ corn aȝen þe ȝere & kepit it til it be dere. "But þer-of doþ he wiseliche, if he departe it skilfulliche." Nay for soþe, þenkiþ he nouht to pore men departen ouht; Bouhte he neuere so good chepe, he ne rewiþ not þe pore to wepe; he ne rouhte how al þe world ȝode, so þat his owne geting were gode. for þis is þe mokereris answere: "Go ȝoure wey, corn is ful dere," also for soþe, wiþ-outen gabbe, Þe same answere he schall habbe whan alle þe aungelis, in heuene beth, & alle on erthe þat suffrid deth, schul ben at on parlement: Þer þe mokerere schal ben schent; Þer he schal vpbraydid be of god him-self, þat is so fre, In what manere þat he ha þ spent Þe godis þat god on erthe him lent. Þer god him-self schal ȝeuyn þe dome— he may ben a-drad or he þer come; ffor þis is þe word þat god wile say to þe mokerere at domys-day, and so harde to non other man as to þe vnkynde mokerere þan: "I hungrid whan þou wernedist me mete; I wold haue had drink, I cowde non gete; herborwles, þou me forsoke; & sike, in prisoun, cam not me to loke; . . . . . [folios 34, 35, 36 wanting in Cambr. MS.] "lo," quod he, "how I am diht! who saw euere swich a siht?" Þorw his hond men myhte se als brod as was þat vble. and he not maymed was, & afterward song many a mas, And þe hole al-wey þorw his hond— Þus þat soþe men it fond. & after for a þousand pound of gold Þe prest no mor synne wold, But seruid god wiþ greet drede, & afterward to heuene ȝede.— I hold þat man mor þan mad Þat takiþ þis bred & is not drad of þe wreche þat myhte befalle. so wurthi bred it is wiþ-alle Þat for þe myht of þat word Þat god seyde at his bord, Þe same myht þat word haþ here, to turne þe bred in to other manere, & to turne þe wyn in to blod, Þe same þat was schad on þe rod. Þe wordis perauenture I coude the telle, but I am not worþi & þer-for I nelle. al oþer making to þe mas I dar wel tellin how it was. Þe apostelis seyde no more but what þei herde of cristis lore— no mor to þe masse wold þei do, and þe pater noster þer-to, vpon þe bred and þe wyn— & so hem þouhte it good & fyn. non othere vestemens vsid þai but as þei werid eueri day; and in vesselis of tre— Non oþer chaleys had he. Than þe pope vrban, Þat was a ful holi man, ordeynid þat þe chaleys scholde ben of siluer or of golde, wiþ a patene, to helin oueral, made of þe same metal. Þe pope Celestyn, ordeynid he, a psalme men clepe Iudica me Þat eueri prest þat is & was schuld it seye or he ȝede to mas. Þe .ix. kiries þat ben in boke Þe pope siluester of grew hem toke. Þer-after comiþ Gloria in excelsis, Þat þe aungelis of heuene first son[g], I-wis; Of seint hillari þat was Erchebischop of poytas, he made fro laudamus te Þe remenaunt þan singe we. Þan þe pope Tellophorus, & þat oþer pope Cinacus, Be-twix hem boþ ordeynid was to singen gloria at þe mas. pope alisaundere ordeynid wel to redin Epistil and gospel. Be Ierom & ambrose ordeynid was to make þe grayel to þe mas. al þis confermyd pope Gregori, & þer-to made þe offertori. Þanne þe pope anastasius comaundid in lawe riht þus: Þat no man schuld sitte, he bed, whil þe Gospel were red. Constantinus made þe Crede, to singe it he ȝaf þe rede. pope steuene & pope Clemens ordeynid holi vestymens. pope siluester ordeynid þe corporas, in tokne þat goddis bodi was In clene sendel I-wounde whan Ioseph leyde it in toumbe in his owne graue of ston & leyde anoþer gret ston þer-on. Þanne þe pope leouns made þe prefaciouns. alisaundere þe pope ordeynid þis: to don watir & wyn in þe chalis, in tokne þat þer com boþ watir & blod of cristis side þat heng on rod; in blod is toknid þat he bouhte vs, in watir þat cristenid be houiþ vs. Þan ordeynid þe pope sixtus thryes for to singe sanctus; & þan he made þe canoun þer, and god made þe pater noster. And how & in what maner befelle Þat god made þe pater noster, I wile telle. Þe apostelis seyde to crist on a day: "teche vs, lord, how we schul pray." & seynt iohn haþ tauht vs þis— Þat is one of his disciplis— Þat ihesu tauht hem þis preyere & bad hem seyn þe pater noster. and þus moche to seyn it is: "Oure fader þat in heuene is, halewid mote þin name be. to þi kingdom mote come we. Þi wil in heuene & in erthe be do. oure ech-days bred send vs þer-to. and oure dettis forȝeue þou vs, as we for-ȝeuen oure detouris. & lede vs in to no fonding, but saue vs fro euil þing. amen." Of þe holi gost þe .vij. ȝiftis in þe pater noster touchid is; of whiche to god þer touchin thre, & foure in one to the and me. Þis preyere, þow it be schort, but it be seyd in clene hert, It is a-ȝen þat ilke man Þat in to his herte wraþþe haþ tan. Þer-for þe good pope Innocent Pax domini haþ ordeynt, Þat eueri man schuld kisse oþer & holden hem for suster & brother; in tokne þat god mad pes wiþ man, Þer-for þat pes is ȝouen þan. Þe laste word of þis heye feste is clepid Ite missa est, Þat is to sey "it is I-sent to heuene for vs, þe sacrament"; be-for þe holy trenyte Þe first part of þe thre, Þat oþer for hem þat suffrid deth, Þe thridde for hem þat alyue beth.— It is riht þat first nemenid be oure ladi in þe Canone: ffor god of hire flesch tok Þat neuere cristen man forsok; Þat flesch he haþ take the to fede, Þat is clepid aungelis brede. Þe .xij. apostelis nemenid beth, for hire preching þei suffrid deth—

Quia apostoli dicuntur missi, & martires testes apostolorum:

As þing þat is sent ben þe apostelis, and marteris ben to hem witnes; & alle marteris þat were dede for þei were witnes of þis brede, Þat god deyde for loue of vs, & þei for þe loue of crist ihesus. petir, andrew, philip, these .iij. were don vp-on þe rode-tre. poule, Iamys, and mathew were heuedid, & bartilmew was helt al nakid quyk for his witnes of þis vnlik. and þat oþer lesse Iamys, and symon also, & thadeus, hire senewis for cristen lawe out of hire bodi were drawe. and seynt Iohn Euangelist, Þat was cosyn to ihesu crist, he drank venym, to make preue Þat we han truþe and riht beleue. and seynt thomas didimus, he was þorw-stekid riht þus. Þer-after comiþ .xij. marteris, Þat company in þe canoun reknid is; Of whiche summe popis were, summe bischopis þat myter did bere, summe deknes þat were half prest, summe lewid men þat leuid on crist— ffor alle ordres & alle degres to þis sacrament bere witnes. Leouns, Clemens, & Cletus, Sixtus, and Cornelius, these were popis, þat suffrid deth for þat bred þat ȝe a-days seeth. Ciprian was bischop of Cartaginus. Steuene, laurens, & vincent were dekins. Grisogon, Iohn and paules, Þei were on lyue knyhtis; Cosmas and Damianus, Þei were lechis, wretin it is þus. Katerine, Mergrete, & agace deyden for þis bred of grace. Þer-for it is riht hire namys to be nemenid in þe Canone: for alle these deyde in good entent for to mayntene þis sacrament.— Þe sacrament mote þi soule fede þat is clepid aungelis brede. if þat ȝe worþiliche it fonge, it schal kepe ȝow þus longe, fro þat day þat ȝe ded ben til ȝoure bodyes risen a-ȝen; and þan þe bodi & soule in-fere schul wende to þe gret mangere where neuere-mor schal ben no nede to no maner of ertheli brede, But þe sihte of þe blisful trenyte schal euere-mor þi fode be. Þer we han þe moder to prey þe sone, & we han þe sone to prey þe fader, Þe holy gost we han in wone— Þis entre we han to-geder: what lettiþ vs for to wynne Þe riche blis þat is vs behote, but it be oure owne synne? Þer is non oþer þing, I wote. Of pardoun I haue no pouste to ȝow for to graunte of me: but, if ȝe don now after me, I wile ȝow tellin a quantite, How moche pardoun ȝe may habbe, grauntid to ȝoure moste nede, to come to honour wiþ-outen gabbe, it isom. it is þis ilke aungelis brede. That same thursday þat next is after þe feste of þe trenyte, Þe pope vrban ordeynid þis Þat þan þis pardoun schuld be. an hundrid dayes of forȝifnes he grauntid to hem alle in fay Þat come vn-to þe matynes on þat same thursday; ffourti dayes for eueri houre þat tyde, & an hundrid for þe masse, an hundrid who-so þe euensong abide— he grauntid hem no lasse. and al þat woke eueriday Þis pardoun lastiþ so, who-so al þe seruyse han may; & ȝet he schal han mo: ffor eueri days seruise an hundrid days to bote— wel men auhte to seen therinr. to seien þise on horse and also on fote. Þe laste pope þat was now, his name Iohn hiht, al þis pardoun he grauntiþ ȝow & doubliþ it wiþ his myht. Meylerus, þorw goddis grace bisschop of leyȝ-lymme, he haþ amendid al þis cas Þorw myht þat god ȝaf hym: ffourti days to pardoun he ȝaf þer-to, wiþ-out drede, to alle þat wiþ good deuocioun herin it or don it rede. So it amountiþ holliche on and fourty ȝere & sex-score dayes, truliche, who-so heriþ his seruise here. Ihesu graunte ȝow alle & some in erthe so for to spede that þis pardoun ȝow make come vn-to þis heuenlich brede. Þat man ete aungelis brede, Þus first we began; to heuene it mote vs alle lede boþe wyf and man, In nomine patris & filij wiþ vs go Et spiritus sancti do also. amen. MS. Harl. 4196. Sermo in festo Corporis Cristi.Panem angelorum manducauit homo(Ps. 77, 25). *Laude men herto tak hede— ffor vnto clerkes it es no nede, In þaire bukes may þai se Þe gudenes of goddes preuete, Gastly how he will vs fede With his body in fowrom of brede, Als haly kyrk now most and lest Mase mynde now in þis new-fun fest; Als dauid in þe sawter said, And þe haly gast had him puruaid By figures þe folk forto lere. Þar-fore he said on þis manere, Als witnes beres in þis stede: "Man," he said, "etis angell brede." So was it in tyme of moyses Omang þe childer þat ihesu chese. ffor when þai war in thraldom broght With farao þat þam wranges wroght— Þat war ful lang now forto tell; Bot at þe last so it bifell Þat god wald suffer it namore Þat his folk in thraldom wore: He bad moyses þat he suld fle With his folk thurgh þe [rede] se. And when þai to þe se war cumen, A dri way sone haue þai nomyn: Þe water stode vp als a wall, vntill þai war past ouer all. Kyng farao with ful gret boste pursued þam with all his oste, And wele þai wend þe way to hent Als þe childer oway had went: Þe se closed and þam vmcast; Þaire liues might no langer last. Þare was he and his menȝe drownd, And goddes folk past hale and sownd. In wildernes þan was moyses With childer þat god him-seluen chese. God sent to þam fra heuyn doune Als it war flowre ful gret foysowne; Manna in clergi es it cald, Angell mete men may it hald. Þai gaderd it and lifed þar-by, And sinned I sall tell ȝow why: Þai gederd more and broght to hend Þan þai had mester forto spend; And, if þai samind it on þe day, On þe morn wald it be oway And þar-in wald be no foysowne, Bot turn in to corrupciowne. Þai might wele se þan by þis thing: God was noght paid of þaire gedering. Þan may we se it es ill store Of þir mokyrers þat bies more Corn or malt þan he has nede His menȝe fully forto fede. He þat byes corn so here And ȝemes it till it be dere, And are will lat it lig and rote Or he it do till oþer note, He greues god, trewly to tell, Als did þe childer of israel, Þat trowed noght with trew entent Þat fode Inogh suld þam be sent. And þat corn gaders gude spede And will noght part in tyme of nede vnto þam þat fode has nane, Bot saues it to him-self allane, fful hard rekining ȝeld sal he At þe dome, when he sall demed be By-for god þat es high iustise And euyn domes-man & al rightwise, And bifor all his saintes sere And his angels all in-fere; Þan sall he wit how he has spend Al þe gude þat god him send! ffor in þis maner sall god say vnto nithinges on domes-day: "hunger I had and thrist ful grete: Þou gaf me nowþer drink ne mete; And herberles þou me forsoke; In preson wald þou noght me loke; Nakid whenMS. whin I was also, With-owten clath þou lete me go. Þarfore now saltou wende to hell, Euer-more with deuils to dwell." Þan sal þe sinful say in hy: "lord, when saw we þe nedy And did noght als vs fell to do?" Þan sal he answer þam vnto And say: "when þat ȝe saw in pine Any of þe lest of myne And helpid þam noght in þaire nede, vnto me did ȝe þat ilk dede." Þan thurgh dome he sal þam schende To won in wa with-owten ende. Þus on domesday þe most hething Sall fall vnto þe hard nithing; ffor þarof will þai noght þam schriue, If þai be nithinges al þaire liue, Bot euer-more þai answer þus: "We gif wele more þan men dose vs," And syn þai say þat it [es] nane To saue all to þam-self allane And spare it all vntill þai dy— Þat bargan sall þai dere haby! Þarfore of nithinges lat we be And till oure mater turn will we: More in þis tyme now will we tell Of þe childer of israel, How þai gaderd angell fode More þan neded to do þam gude. Þai traisted noght in goddes grace: Þar-fore vnto þam wrath he was, He sufferd þam peris ilkane And with þaire enmys to be slane; With were he was opon þamMS. þan wroken, ffor þai had his biding broken. Ofsex and twenty hundreth thowsand(!) Þat war þare in desert dweland, To þe land of hest þare come nane fre Bot anly Calef and iosue— And of þa twa come all þe strene Of milde mari, oure heuyn-quene.— Now in þis werld wele may we se Þat lufed with god wele more er we: ffor he sent þam bot angels brede, Þat bot a day wald stand in stede, And vntill vs here has he sent His awin body, verrayment, Þat euer-more will last vs in, If we be out of dedly syn. Both his verray fless and blude Gifes he till oure gastly fode Þat for vs was pined on a tre; Ilk day oure-self may it se In faire fowrom of erthly brede Þat for vs in erth sufferd dede And toke his hand-werk out of hell. Þarby a tale he[r] will I tell, Þat wretin es in þe legent Towcheand þis haly sacrament. Aaracio de iudeo & cristiano. Sum tyme, als clerkes tell ȝow can, Was a iew and a cristen man; Þai met togeder opon a day, And so ȝode samen by þe way. And, als in bokes beres witnes, Þe cristen man herd ring to mes. He said to þe iew: "habide me here, Whils I go mak my prayere." Þe iew said: "I will assent." Þe cristen man to kirk es went, And made his prayers inwardly vnto oure lord god al-mighty. Þe iew þan in þe way him held And thoght his felaw ful lang dweld; Þarfore vnto þe kirk he ȝede, preuely forto tak hede What maners was þam omang Þat his felaw dweld so lang. And þan he saw, or euer he leuid, Þe prist hald vp ouer his heuid A knaue-childe, with wowndes sore In fete and hend; ȝit saw he more Þat þare was nowþer wife ne man Of þam þat in þe kirk was þan [hend; Þat þai ne kneled and held vp þaire And fra þe child þan saw he wend To ilk man swilk a child to sight, And euyn bitwene þaire handes it light. Þe iew biheld þan to þe priste Bygan to vse þe ewkariste, He saw him ett þe same childe Þat he bitwix [his] handes hilde; And on þe same wise thoght him þare Did all þat in þe kirk ware. Þe iew þan went and stode þat tide Whare his felow bad him abide, And vnto him-self said he þan: "A lathly life ledes cristen men!" Þe cristen man, when mes was done, Come vnto þe iew full sone. Þe iew said: "how fars þou now?" Þe toþer said: "better þan þou. ffor I haue sene my sauiowre, vnto wham be euer honowre; And sen þat I haue sene þat sight, All þe day I am more light." Þe iew said: "so mot I the, Þi wombe aght wele full to be! ffor, and I might so mekill ette, Þir thre daies suld I ett no mete." Þe cristen man þan said ful right: "Þis day come no mete in my sight; Als fer als I on may think, Þis day I saw no mete ne drink." Þe iew said: "for schame, lat be! I saw both oþer men and þe Ilkone hald a child blody And ett it seþin, sekerly. And sertes, me think by þis scill A lathly life ȝe gif ȝow till!" Þe cristen man þan wex all wrath, And said: "þou lies, with-owten ath. Ȝowre law es fals and so er ȝe, Ȝe will noght leue bot þat ȝe se. Þarfore fare furth, opon þe fy! I will nomore þi cumpany." Þe iew said: "felaw, greue þe noght Al-if me here-of wonder thoght, Bot tell me by sum graither preue How I might þe sertayn leue." Þe cristen man said: "þis es þe skill Þat god of heuyn noght suffer will Þat þi sinful eghen seghe Þe sacrament þat es so heghe, He wald noght schew þe in þat stede How his body es hid in brede: Þi kin him slogh ogains þe law. ffor-þi þou him al blody saw, And so sall all þi kin him se At þe dome when þai sal dampned be." Þe iew said: "felow, I prai þe þan Þat I war made a cristen man." Þan was he cristend als I tell, Thurgh þis miracle þat þus byfell. Exemplum per speculum. A faire ensample may men se Of goddes body, how it may be In diuers parcels parted here And ilkane be goddes body entere; And how þat of ane eucharist, Þat sakerd es þe cors of crist, A hundreth men may haue þaire dale, And ilkone haue cristes body hale— Þat may men by ensawmple here. Bihald þi-self in a schewere: Þou sese bot a face, more ne les, Whils þe glas vnbroken es. Breke þan þe glas in two or thre: And so many faces sall þou se; Breke in a hundreth peces þe glace And þou sall se a hundreth face. And if þat þe glas all hale ware, A face þou suld se and nomare. So þe sacrament of goddes body May be departed in sere party, And in ilk part all hale es he, All-if it neuer so litill be.— Also ȝit, þat þe sacrament Es ordand all by trew entent, Þat may ilk man him-seluen se By þe making of þe vble. By seuyn sellesr. scilles, of. v. 281. it es made euyn, To stroy þe dedly sines seuyn. Þe eukarist aw to be white, fforto destroy flesly delite And alkins lust of lichery, Þat blac es euer and ful vgly. Thin aw it to be al-gate, Glotony forto abate; ffor þai couait þat glotons es Of mete and drink ay mekelnes. Rownd it es and light to thraw, Ogains slewth, þat makes men slaw. And it es made with-owten leuaine, Wreth and enuy to stand againe; ffor enuy bolnes mans hert When he sese oþer men in quert. It es also with-owten bran, And, als þir clerkes declare it kan, Þat es ogaines couatise, Þat rekkes neuer on whatkin wise Þat he may reches vnderfang, Be it right or be it wrang. Also it es litill and clene, Ogains pride, þat euer es kene And couaites to be grete and fell, Als lucifer, þat went to hell And fell for pride fra þe blis of heuyn. Þe brede þus es ordand by seuyn proper skils, forto reherce Als funden es here in þis vers: Candida, triticia, tenuis, non magna, rotunda, Ex-pers frumenti,r. fermenti non mixta sit hostia cristi.— And when crist made þis sacrament? Þat sal we trow with trew entent, fful light it es in faith to fele, ffor ilka cristen man wate wele How þat crist sat at his sopere When þat his passiown neghed nere, And till his appostels gan he bid fforto do als he þan did— And how he did, wele find men may In þe passion on gude friday; He said: "on þis wise sall ȝe do, ffor I most wende my fader vnto; Þus sal ȝe do in mynde of me Als oft as it done sal be." Þus of þe appostels þat god sent Toke haly kirk þis sacrament.— Et dicitur sacramentumNota Quasi sacre rei signum. Et dicitur eukaristia Quasi bona gracia. Þe first tels with trew entent: A haly signe es sacrament. And noght els menes þe eukarist Bot gude grace, cumen of crist. Wele may we se it es gude grace, Þat keper es in cristes place! And grace es more worthi þan kinde, Als cristen men may haue in minde.— Men aw to be in clene entent Þat sall resayue þis sacrament, ffor saint paule sais, & se men may In þe pystell of þis day:1 Cor. 11, 29. Þat what man so with euill mode Resaiues goddes fless and his blude, He cums to his confusiowne And resayues his dampnacioune. Þarfore saint paule, ane of þe twelue, Sais þat a man here demes him-selue And of dampnacion takes his dome, vnclene to goddes burd and he come. Man þat dose so, wha-euer he be, Sall he neuer-more demed be; ffor his awin dome wha-so will take, What oþer dome suld god him make? Þarfore suld na man reklesly Wend to resayue þat blisced body, Þat life es, if þai wele it ta, And ded to þam þat dose noght swa. And þarofe here we saint markr. John (6, 56-9). say In þe godspell of þis day, Whare we may find wretin þus: To his desciples said ihesus And also to þe iewes in-fere, Telland to þam on þis manere: Euangelium secundum Marcum.r. John (6, 56-9). Caro mea uere est cibus, & sanguis meus uere est potus: "My fless," he said, "es brede of life And verray mete to man and wife, And my blude es drink verray To all þat lifes in cristen lay. Wha ettes my fless and drinkes my blude, In me he dwelles with mayne & mode. And I in him am ay dwelland, Whils he in stabill trowth will stande. And als my fader lifand in blis Has sent me, forto mend ȝowre mis, And, als he lifes in lith and lim, So lif I for þe luf of him: And he þat ettes my body fre, He sall ay lif thurgh might of me. Þis es þe brede with-owten ende Þat fra þe hegh of heuyn descend; Noght like to manna þat doun fell vnto þe childer of israel, ffor þarof ette þai in þat stede And neuer-þe-lese ȝit war þai dede. He þat þis brede ettes worthily, He sall ay lif and neuer dy, Gastly life ay sall he haue, And in heuyn sall his saul be saue."355-6 added. Crist grante vs for his moder sake Þat worthily we may it take. More of þis mete we may here tell How þat saint Iohn in his godspellJohn 6, 54. Sais: bot if we ett cristes brede And drink his blude, oureliueserded.— All-if it here be parted in smale, Crist cors in heuyn it es all hale, And euer with-owten end sall last. Þus aw oure trowth to be stedfast— ffor no man may here serue crist, Bot if his trowth to him be trist. Oculus fidei acutus est, Quia inuisibilia conspicit: Þe eghe of faith es scharp and kene, It sese þat may noght here be sene. Þarfore vs aw to trow and wirk Efter kening of haly kirk, ffor þat es here þe fastest fay, And vnto heuyn þe rediest way.— More will I tell ȝit in þis stede How þat men ettes angel brede. Þis blisced brede may neuer be spend, ffor god him-self hider has it send ffra þe fende man saul to fend And giff þam blis with-owten ende. In þe bigining was ordand A custum in ilk cristen land Þat men and wemen more & les Suld ilka sunday efter mess Be howseld all with gude entent And resaiue þis ilk sacrament. Seþen was þat custum casten doun, I sall ȝow tell by what chesoune. ffor folk war howsild so comunly, Þai toke þe les reward þarby, Ne þam-self þai wald noght ȝeme Als to þe sacrament suld seme. Anoþer was, for men wex irk With grete trauail in hali kirk, And þat none wise þai might forsake In tyme when folk suld howsil take. Þarfore þe pape on þis manere Ordand: þat thrise in þe ȝere Suld men resaiue þat blisced brede Thurgh cristen land in ilka stede; And who did noght anes at þe leste, He sall be halden bot als a beste, And he sal noght, whe[n] he es ded, Haue his beriel in haly stede. Þarfore pray we god in-wardly Þat we in werk may be worthy Þat brede enterely forto take, Sen it may all oure sorows slake. And by þis brede now will I tell Ane ensaumple þat sum tyme fell. Narracio de presbitero. A prest sum tyme in ingland In a cete was wonand; He had noght led, als sum men tolde, His life als clenly als he solde: A grete euil god to him send, ffor þat he suld his mis amend. And als he lay opon a night, God of heuyn him schewed þis sight: A child him thoght he saw and herd, Þat asked him how þat he ferd; A panier in his hand he broght fful of brenand oblis, als him thoght. Þe prest þan asked: "wha ertow? And what es þat þou bringes now?" He said: "I am goddes messangere, And lo, oblis I bring þe here; Þus many vnworthi has þou tane At þi mes bi þe allane. And if þou will noght leue me, Schew furth þi hand and þou sal se." Þe prest put furth his hand onone, And þe childe has ane vble tone Of þam þat semid so brinand, And put it in þe prestes hand. When it was laid in a moment, A hole thurgh-out þe hand it brent. Þe childe þan went oway in hy, And þe prest bigan to cry. Oþer men þan come him to And asked whi þat he fore so. "Lo," he said, "how I am dight! Wha saw euer swilk a sight?" A hole in his hand might men se Als brade als was þe vble. Þe prest þan wele amendid es, And efterward sang many mes, And þe hole euer in his hand, Þat men þe suth might vnderstand. He serued god in word and dede, And seþin his sawl to heuyn ȝede.— I hald, þe man es more þan mad Þat ettes þis brede and es noght rad ffor vengance of god and for wrake, If he vnworthily it take!— Wroght it was thurgh goddes worde Þat he said at his awin burde. Þe same might has ilka prest: To turn þe brede till þe cors of crist, And forto turn wine in to blude, Þe same þat was sched on þe rode. Crist blisced þe brede, als sais þe boke, And till his appostels he it toke, And said to þam on þis manere: "Þis es my fless I gif ȝow here." And efter he toke þe chalis, And on þe same wise gan it blis, And said to þam with mild mode: "Drinkes of þis, it es my blude. And als oft-tymes als ȝe it take, Mynde of me luke þat ȝe make!" Þus ordand crist þis sacrament. And when he vnto heuyn was went, Þai did messes als he cumand, Als þai went in ilka land. And when peter was pape of rome, Chef cownsailoure of cristendome, Ne al þe oþer, whare þai lend, Said namore þan crist had kend; Ne did þarto none oþer thing, When þai suld þaire messes sing, Bot þe pater noster gan þai say, Als crist had cumand þaim to pray. Þai had noght els bot brede and wine, And goddes wordes gude and fyne. Vestimentes none had þai Bot als þai werid ilka day, And vessels þat of tre war made— None oþer chalises þan þai hade. Þan efterward þe pape vrban, Þat was halden a haly man, Ordaind þat þe chalis sulde Be made of siluer oþer els of gulde, With a patene, to hill ouer all, Ordand of þe same metall. Þe pape celestiene alswa Ordand a salme hat Iudica Þat ilk prest þat ordand es Sal say bifor he go to mes. Þe pape siluester toke out of grew Þe nien kyries, als clerkes knew; Þe angell sang he did þar-to Gloria in excelsis deo. Saint hillary þan, als men hers, Erchebisschop was of paters, All þe remnand ordand he Þat we sing fra laudamus te. Þan by þe pape it ordand es To sing þat Gloria at þe mes; It confermed pape tellophorus, And scþin so did pape cinacus. Pape alisander ordand rath Þe pistell and þe godspell bath. By ierom and ambrose ordaind es To sing þe graell at þe mes. It confermed pape gregori, And made þarto þe offertory. Þan þe pape anastacius, In his tyme he ordand þus: Þat men suld stand, was his biding, Whils þe godspell was in reding. Þe twelue appastels made þe crede: To sing it damacius þe pape bede. Pape steuen and pape clement, Þai ordand þe vestiment. Pape siluester ordand þe corporas, In tokining þat goddes body was In clene clathes lappedMS. was lapped and laid When it in þe graue was graid. Þan þe pape Leones Ordand þe preface at þe mes. Pape alisander ordand sine To do in chalis water and wine, In takin þat both water and blude Come fra crist side on þe rode; Þe blude es tokin þat he vs boght, Þe water wassches all euill thoght. Þan ordand þe pape Si[x]tus, Thrise þat men suld say sanctus. Ielasius made þe canon right, And crist þe pater noster dight. And how þat praier ordand was, Þat sall I tell ȝow or I pas. His desciples said on a day: "Lord, tell till vs what we sal pray." And saint Ionr. Luc sais he bad þam bid Þe pater noster, and it vndid, How þat it es ordand euyn fforte destroy þe sines seuyn. ffor seuyn askins er þar-in, And ilkone may for-do a syn If it be said in gude degre And clene life als it aw to be; Els prayes a man him-self ogayne, And all his trauail es in vaine. Pape Innocent þan next folowand, Pax domini þan he ordand, ffor þat ilk man suld kis oþer And hald þam hertly als þaire broþer. In takining þat god ordand pese Bytwix him and man, neuer to sese. Þe last word þan of þe fest Es said þus: Ite missa est, Þat es to say "now es it sent To heuyn for vs, þis sacrament." Adhuc de canone misse. IN þe canon aw neuyned to be ffirst mari, cristes moder fre: ffor [of] hir, maiden milde of mode, Toke he þat blisced fless and blude, Þat same fless þat sufferd dede And þat es named ay-lastand brede. Þe twelue appostels þan neuind err, ffor þai prechid both nere and ferr Þe trowth als he had preched playne, And for his sake seþin war þai slaine. Þe apostelis of crist war sent, And martires, when þai war went, Witnest þaire werkes fer and nere; Þarfore all done to ded þai were. Ihesus died for luf of vs, And þai died for luf of ihesus, With mekill dole and diuers ded, ffor þai bare witnes of þis brede. Peter, Andrew, and philip, find we, War hanged on þe cros all thre; Paul, more Iames, and Mathew War heuidded, and also bertilmew, Þat here was a ful haly man, He was flain quik and heuidded þan; Simon, and Iudas thadeus, And les Iames, þai died þus, Als it es with clerkes knawen: Þaire sins war fra þaire body drawen. And saint Ion þe euangelist, Þat cosin was to ihesu crist, In a tonn ful lang he dweld And brinand ole þai on him held; Venim he drank and dered him noght, And seþin he died when god gude thoght. Saint thomas þat es named of ynde, He was thurgh-stiked, als folk may Þan in þe canon neuind es [finde. Twelue þat war trew martires And died all with sorowis sere, And sum papes and sum bisschops Sum dekines þat suld be prest, [were, And sum lawd men þat lifed on crist; And all þir marters more and les Of þis ilk brede þai bare witnes. Saint leo, clemens, and cletus, Sixtus, and cornelius, Al þir war papes, and sufferd ded ffor þai bare witnes of þis brede; Ciprian was bisschop of cartaginus; Dekens war steuen and laurencius, And vincent was a dekin of mightes; Grisogon, Ion and paul war knightes, Saint Cosma and saint damiane Þai war lechis by þam allane. Katerine, Mergarete, and agace, Þai died all for þis brede of grace; Þarfore es reson þat þai thre Neuynd in þe canon be. Al toke þirr. þair? ded with gude entent fforto mayntene þis sacrament, Þat named es here angell brede And saues man fro endles dede And bringes him to þe blis of heuyn, Whare more ioy es þan men may neuyn. Þe sight of god þare sal þam fede, And his lightnes sall be þaire wede, And werk þat þai sall wirk ilkane Sall be loueing of god allane. God grant vs in þat blis to bilde, Thurgh prayers of his moder milde. De indulgenciis inde concessis. Grete nowmber of pardon granted es vnto all folk, both more and les, Þat þis seruis will say or here Ans als it fals in ilka ȝere, Þat es þe next thursday to se Efter þe fest of þe trinite. Þe pape vrban ordand þis fest, ffor cristen men both most & lest Suld in þat tyme with gude entent honore þis haly sacrament. He granted to all men at þe mes A hundreth daies of forgifnes; And at þe matins who wald be, A hundreth daies haue suld he; And at þe first euin-sang byfore A hundreth daies by þe sex score; And for ilk oure he vowched-saue ffourty dais þat men suld haue; And to þe euinsang folowand A hundreth daies he cumand; And fourty at þe cumplin clere vnto all men þat it will here. And forþermare, if men will luke, Þis same pardone es all þe woke To þam þat cums with gude entent, vntill þe vtas be all went. God grant vs so, whils we lif here, Þis seruise forto say or here, Þat we may with þat pardon lend In life þat lastes with-owten end. XXXI. SeptemOnly 6 miracles are given in the text. miracula de corpore cristi.

(From Robert of Brunne's Handlyng Synne, p. 306-333, ed. Furnivall, Roxb. Club, 1862. That this 2nd homily is part of a longer poem on the Ten Commandments, Vices and Virtues, with Narrations, appears from v. 381 ff., 497 ff.)

 MS. Vern., fol. CXCVI b—CXCVIII, b. GOd Almihti þat alle þing weldes, Wyndes, watres, wodes and ffeldes, AndFurn. As soþly, as þou madest of nouht Alle creatures þat euer were wrouht, ffor-ȝif vs, lord, þis day vr synne, Þis digne sacrament to bi-ginne, And also worschupeF. & wurschypfully þer-of to speke, Þat we neuere þe trouþeF. beleue breke, Ne forte telle in þis ProlongeF. þys long (!) Þing þat falleþ to eny wronge,F. fall-of may any wrong But þat hit mihte beo þe to queme And vs in studefast trouþe to ȝeme.— Godus sone in heuene a-boue, He schewed vs alsoF. alle for muche loue: ffor whon his passion neihȝed him neih, To his disciples þat weren him by He ȝaf his bodi, hem to fede— More loue miht he not schewe in dede— Þat þei schulde muynde haue Of hym þat miht hem þenne saue. Ȝit a-forwardF. aftyrward he let hym slo Wiþ so gretF. ful vyle deþ-pyne andand pynyng wo. ffor vs and hem dude he þis, To bringe vs alle to his blis. More loue miht he not do, Ne neuer mon mihte do so; ffor vs he dude hit, in certeyn, Þat we schulde loue hym wel aȝein. Þouh we vr-self [ȝaf] an hundred siþe, O poynt of such loue miht we not kyþe Lyk to þat loue he haþ vs done, ffor hit is vre saluacioune. And of vs ȝit askeþ he nouht But þat may wel I-nouh be wrouht: Noþing bote loue wiþ good louyng,F. but loue-longyng To loue him ouer al oþur þing And for his loue to leue synne— WiþF. his loue his blisse þen may we wynne. AndF. ffor þou may neuere haue hym to þe But þou wolt furst synne fle: Alle þing he loueþ, but synne he hates; Ȝif þou loue hym, wiþ synne þou bates.F. wlates Ȝif þou loue on, þou most nedes fforsake þat þyng þat he forbedes, Elles hit is told for no loue, And nomeliche to vr lord aboue. Þou maiȝt not loue him, þe boc seiþ,F. wyþ no greythe But þou haue wiþ þe good feiþ, Þat is to sey, leeue þouF. to beleue hit wel Al þat is writen of hym vchedel. Studefast treuþe of loue hit semes,F. comes And of trewþe loue men nemes:F. nomes So is þat on wiþ þat oþur, Wiþ studefast treuþe loue, hisF. ys þe Broþur. To whom ouȝte vr loue be went? To trouþeF. But to þe beleue of þis sacrament. Þis schulde leeue vche cristen mon And lerne þe treuþe of on þat con: Þat þe bred þat sacrefyed is On þe Auter, is godus flesch, fflesch and blod, þer hit is leid, Þorwh þe wordus þe prest haþ seid; Þat lihte wiþ-Inne þe virgine Marie And on þe Rode for vs wolde dye And from deþ to lyue a-Ros, God and Mon, in Miht and loos. ffor hose troweþ not þis cler In þe sacrament of þe Auter, He schal neuere þe blisse a-byde, ffor no þing þat him may be-tyde. In þe Olde lawe þus is writen— Iewes and Cristene wel hit witen: "God seide þatF. and hit was wrouht, He Comaundede alle þing of nouht"— Þis wordus aren verrey and cler, Dauid hem seide in þe psauter. Seþþhe he made al of nouȝt þatF. alle þat noȝt er was, Lasse Maystrie were in þis caas fforte chaunge on liknes In to a-noþur þyng þen hit is, Þat ilke liknesse inF. of Bred and Wyn In fflesch and blod to torne hit in. His fflesch and blood in Bred is wrouht;F. Yn flesshe and blode þe brede be broȝt Siþþe he made [al] be-fore of nouht, Ȝif þou seo hit not bodiliche in siht, Þi soule wiþ-Inne schal trouwe hit riht; And þauȝ þow fele no sauour But verrey wyn and bred of fflour, Þis is wisdam of godus ordinaunce, To saue vs alle from þis Chaunce: ffor ȝif hit weore as flesch to take, Wiþ-stondeF. wlate we scholde and hit forsake; And for he nolde we hit forsoke, Bot alle men hit vndurtoke, Þerfore his wisdam his owne rede Sauereþ hit in wyn and Brede. Hit semeþ bred as to þe siht And as Bred hit sauereþ riht; Nouþur in siht ne in felyng Knowest þou of no certeyn þing. What schal þenne þe most saue But studefast þouht þat þou schalt haue, Studefast trouþe of vch a del, Þat wol vs saue wondur wel. And summe han hit seyen Bodily, To whom he schewed his Mercy. Lo her a tale al and sumF. for of ȝow sum Þat is In Vitas Patrum: 1. Aarracio cuiusdam religiosi.MS. Simeon: Quod corpus cristi est veraciter in sacra|mento altaris, realiter, & non figuratiue. Hit was a Mon of Religioun, Of alle MenF. almes he hedde gret renoun; And,F. But for þe fend wolde him haue schent, IIe leeuede not in þe sacrament, And seide, hit was not Ihesu Þat Conceyued was þorwh gret vertu, Ne Ihesu was not þat Oble Þat was reised atte sacre And þat þe folk honourede to;F. And þo þat wurschep dede þarto To leeue hit was not to do. Bi-fore two Abbotes þus he tolde— Þis Abbotes write þis tale to holde, Hit scholde be told to eueriche monF. euery wham Þat is aȝeyn þe Cristendom Til hit beo preued bi Clergye Wher hit beo treuþe or heresye. Þis Abbotes schewed him þe rihte wey, Wiþ alle þe ensaumples þat þei couþe sey; And al he seide hit was lye, But ȝif he seȝe hit wiþ his eȝe "DonF. Doþe þen so þat I hit seo, Þen wol I leue þat hit so be." Þis Abbotes preide a ful seue niht Þat heF. god wolde schewe him, to trouweF. þurghe his miht, In fflesch, in Blod on þe Auteer, To Conferme his trouþe cler. And him-self preide specialy Þat god wolde schewe hym in Body, "Lord,F. L. he seyde for no mis-bileeue, Þat þow scholdest wiþ meF. me þe greue, But forte schewe þe riht soþnes Þat þow art sacrament of þe Mes, Þat I may make oþer certeyne Whon I wiþ eȝen haue þe seyȝene."F. seyne Þis Abbotes lyȝe in orisoun Til þat þe seueniht were don. Þe SonendayF. seuenþe to Churche þei come, Þat oþur Mon wiþ hem þei nome. A sege was ordeynt for hem þre, To bi-holde al þat priuite Of þat holy Sacrament Þat scholde be schewed in here present. Bi-twene hem sat þis ilke mon Of whom þe Miracle furst bi-gon. Whon þe oble was on þe Auter leid And þe prest þe wordes hed seid, Alle þre þouȝte hemF. þan verreylike By-fore þe prest a Child lay quik, In feir forme, of fflesch and blod; Þis say þei þre þer þey stod. Whon þe prest scholde parte þe sacrament, An Angel [doun] from heuene was sent And sacrefyed þe child riht þore: As þe prest hit brac, þe Angel hit schore, Þe Blod in to þe Chalis Ron Of þat child, boþe God and Mon. Þe prestF. þys man ȝede to þe hiȝeste degre, To hosel him as hit fel to be; HemF. Hym þhouȝte þe prest brouȝte on þe patinF. pateyn Mosseles of þat child newe slayn And beed him a Mossel of þat fflesch, Wiþ al þe blod þer-on al fresch. Þen gan he crie wiþ loude steuene: "Merci, Godus sone of heuene, Þe Bred I sauh on þe Auter lyȝe Hit is þi bodi, I seo wiþ eȝe; Of þe Bred þorwh sacrament To fflesch and Blod hit is went; Þis I beo-leeue, and euere I schalle, ffor verreyliche we seon hit alle." Whon he and þei weore alle certeyne, In forme of Bred hit tornde aȝeyne. He dude him hosel as oþur wore, And was a good mon for euer-more. And al oþure beoF. beþ þe bettre Þat hereþ þis tale or redeþ þis lettre.— Þe Prest þat sacreþ Godus bodi, He moste beo ful clene nedeli; A lewed mon þat schal hit receyue, Alle-Maner fulþe moot heF. behoueþ hym weyue. Butom. in F. beo þou neuere so good a prest Ne neuer so gret wiþ-InneF. Ne so grete wytte yn þi Brest, I rede þou here hou þeiF. þe propertes are schewed, Al-þauh þeiF. þe langage be but ben of langage lewed. Þou wost wel, inF. þat þe Oble IsF. ys but a luytel þyng to se: So schaltou beo luytel in wille, Luytel and MuchelF. meke wiþ-outen ille, Nout in pride ne in heihþe, ffor no wisdam ne no sleihþe; Þe soþe hit isF. þat we ne falle wiþ Lucifer, Proude men schal woneF. ffor pr. m. w. wyþ hym þer. Þe Oble is mad of whete, Þe BesteF. louelyest corn þat men ofom. in F. ete: So schulde we beo meke and louely To alle þo þat ben vs by; Þis Mekenes is a-ȝeyn þatom. in F. Ire Þat is wiþ Lucifer in þatom. in F. fyre. Þe paast of þe oble nouht ne owe Beo maad of no-maner sourdowe, ffor þe sourdowe makeþ al soure Þe swettestF. swetnes þat comeþ of þe floure. Bi þis sourdowe is tokenynge Þat Envye is a wikked þinge, ffor hit for-doþ alle swetnesse of dede, Þat god scholde ȝiue vr soulesF. ȝyue for soule meede; Þerfore makeþ he non herburgrye Þer he fyndeþ biforen envye. O vertueF. A v. also In þe whete is Þat is muche a-ȝein Slouhnes: Þer whete comeþ he wolF. ffor whete-corne wyl not prike, As Otes don and Barlike; Ne we ne scholde not beF. haue any prikel InF. Of Idelnesse ouer-Mukel;F. mykyl Idelnesse gruccheþ and is heui of þouht And isF. also soone wroþ for nouht, And þat wraþþhe comeþ of sorwe, AndF. þat of wonhope wol muche Borwe. Þis sacrament of þe Messe Loueþ not such Idelnesse, Not wiþ non nul he dwelle Bute þer men of þeom. in F. Ioye spelle. Þe paast of þe oble seid beo-forn Schal not beo of medlet corn, Bote al onliche of whete: ffoule desiresF. þe mastlyoun schal men lete, Þat bi-meneþ, In no wyse We schal vs ȝiue toF. medel wyþ Couetyse, Þat is also calledF. And namely wyþ Aueryce, Þe whuche is a foulF. ys tolde a wikked vice. Also þou seost þe oble is þinne And muche honeste wiþ-Inne:F. & grete dunhede ys noun þer-ynne And þat wol wel signefye Aȝeyn þe sinne of glotenye; Þer wol not þe sacrament reste, AcF. þere glotenye wol him out keste. And asom. in F. þou sest, þe oble is whit: So schul we haue no-maner delyt Of no-maner fflesches take,F. of flesshely lak ffor lecherieF. Of l. þat makeþ þe soule blake. Þeos seuene partyesF. propertes beþ In þe Oble, as we seoþ, And eueri propurte þer-Inne Is aȝein an hed-synne. A-ȝeyn þis sacrament do þo Þat aren in synne and þerto go, Or aren in wille aȝeyn to wende To synne and hem-self schende; AsF. Also a prest þat goþ to synge Mes Þat in dedly synne is; An hondred-fold he sungeþ more Þe[n] he a lewed mon wore. Alle þat receyue þe sacrament In dedly sunne or wikked entent Orom. in F. in eny of þeoseF. þese yche seuene Þat þou hast here herd nempne, Riht toF. Hyt ys to heore Dampnaciun, And þerfore vengaunce schal be don. And here I schal telle a tale Hou hit is to þat mon Bale: 2. Aarracio presbiteri parochialis.MS. Simeon: Quod propter peccatum occultum communio non debet negari. A Parisch-prest was in a Toun, Of ful gret discrecioun, fful good and rihtful he was, And god sende hym of his gras:al. F.: Dyscrecyun a ryȝt wyt ys On boþe partys ryȝtly to ges. Of his parischens he vndurstode Whuche wer vuel and wȝuche wer gode. Two he hedde forte gete Þat nolde neuere synne lete. And hit felde= fell on an Asterne, Þat þe prest scholde non hosul werne But hit were for þe gretur synne, Inobedience or Corsyng Inne:F. As yn cursyng or yn vnbuxyme Þis prest was in ful gret þouht Wher he schulde hosele hem or nouht. He preyede to God, heuene-kyng, Þat he wolde sende him tokenyng Wheþer he scholde hem hosulom. in F. forbede; To ȝiue hitF. To housel hem he hedde gret drede. ffrom god he hedde þis onswere: Þat vch on scholde heor oune charge bere, And þat he scholde werne hit none But ȝiue hit forþ to euerichone; "Do as Ihesu dude in dede, And þou schalt no mon hit forbede, No more þen he dude Iudas Þat hedde I-don a gret trespas; Ihesu ȝaf alle wiþ mylde mood, Whon Bred was turned to flesch and blod. ffor summe þat hit take hit schal hem saue, And summe þerfore peyne schal haue; Aftur þey aren of synne clene, Also schal hit on hem beo sene." Ȝit preyed he god of More grace: Þat he mihte knowe be þe face Whuche resceyued hit worþily, And wȝuche to haue hit not worþi. And [god]om. graunted him his wille, To knowe þe goode from þe ille. Þe folk þat to þe prest went fforte receyue þe sacrament, Of somme þe face was also briht As þe sonne In somerF. on days -liht; And summe þeF. here visage was also blak Þat noþing miht hit Blakore mak; Of somme hit wasF. And some were as red as blod, Starynge as þei weore wood; Of somme þe visage was bolledAnd sum were swolle þe vyseges stoute, As boþe heore eȝen welleden oute; And summe nympedF. gnapped wiþF. here feet and hondes, As dogges don þat gnawen heore bondes; And somme hedde visages of Meselri; And somme were lyk foul Maumetri. Moni wondres weore on hem seene, Mo þen he couþe þenne deme.F. se at þat tyme Þe prest, whon he sauh alle þise, Of þat siht he gan to grise, ffor þat siht heom. in F. was hidouse And dredful and Meruilouse.F. perylous Ȝit preȝede he god wiþ good entent Þat he mihte wite what al þis ment. And god almihti louede him wel And wolde schewe him eueridel: "Þo Men þat weore so briht As þe sonne on day-liht, Þo Men aren ȝit in Charite And clene of synne, and worschupeþ me. Þo Men þat were so blake Þat no þing mihte hem blakore make, Þo weoreF. are lechours foul wiþ-Inne And haue no wille to leue heor synne. Þo Men þat weore so red as blood, Þei are tiraunsF. Irus & wikked of mood, Heore Euencristen for to slo Wiþ dedeF. deþ and wiþ word also.or wyþ pyne do wo Þo þat þow sauh wiþ Bollen visage, Þo aren Envyous andom. in F. ouer-outrage. And þo þat nymped her fingres and hendes,F. finger endes Are Bacbyteres bi-twene frendes. Þo þat þou sauh Meseles bi siht, Þey loue more good þen god almiht. Þo þat þou sauh lik Maumetrie, On worldly þinges þei most affye, More loue þei catel þat he haþ sent Þen þei don hym þat al haþ lent. Þeose-maner men are rihtF. ȝyt in wille In heore synne to leue stille, And þerfore schal þe sacrament Of hem aske heorF. harde Iugement, Þat þei haue resceyued him vnworþily And serued þe fend wiþ ful Envy."F. hys enemy Þis tale is told for loue of þo Þat in synne to hosul go, Or ben in wille to torne aȝeyn; Al heore trauayle þei don in veyn. Ȝif þou woleF. whan þyn hosel saueshalt take, Beo in wille þi synne to forsake Euermore in studefast herte; And ȝifF. þoghe; And om. þou synne in bodiF. sone aftyr and smerte, God takeþ hit nouȝt to so gret grim As þou in tresun Receyuede hym. In no þing wot I more tresun Þen bringe þi lord on his felun, And ȝit men seiþ þe synne is to greueF. here s. ys grefe Þat bringeþ a trewe mon on a þeue. Ȝif þou do þus þi witande, Þen chargen hit meF. men hyt moste on hande. Þerfore loke þou wite nouht No synne I-hud In herte ne þouht!F. has 2 vv. more. fforF. Also no Clerk þat is in synne, Til he leue and þer-of blynne He schulde not serue atte Auteer Ne hondle þing þat comeþ þerF. Ne halewede þyng to come neer. I touched erSee Furniv., p. 274-5. of þis outrage Whon I spac of þeom. in F. sacrilage, Þat þe holigost schewed him nouht ffor þe Dekene syngede in þouht; In þe tale of Ion Grisostomus Þis tale is told, for ow and vs. Als is he worþi to ben i-schent Þat sone aftur þe sacrament To folye and to synne drawes— Luitel of Godus vengaunce hym awes! Ȝif þou forȝete or ouer-sittes Þe tyme of hosul þat þou wel wittes, Luitel fors of him þou ȝeues, Nouþur þou louest hym ne leues.F. þou louest hym nat þat þou by lyues And ouer al he loueþ þe best; And þou ne wolt a nihtes gest Leten hym herborwe in þin hous! Þou art vnkynde andF. ryȝt Meruylous, Þat al þe ȝer þou letest him weyue, Wiþ worschipe woltou not him resceyue. God Manaseþ for þis chesun, fforF. And riht hit wole and eke resun: ffor suche men aren holden vntrewe In þe Olde lawe and in þe newe. ComaundedF. Comaundement In þe Olde lawe was Ones in þe ȝeer to schewe þi trespas. Þe newe lawe is of þe more honour, Ones in þe ȝeerF. Ones to resceyue þi creatour, Ones a ȝer him to knoweleche, Þi lord to plese for doute of wreche. Þat prest i blame ouer alle þinge, Wiþ-outen gret skil þat letteþ to synge; ffor mony a soule mihte I-saued beF. be saued Wiþ þat Masse þat þenne leueþ he.F. he haþ leued ffor alle þat in þeom. in F. peyne Is, Abydeþ socour of þe Mes, ffor eueri Masse makeþ Memorie Of soules þat aren In purgatorie. Muche þonk schal heF. þat prest haue Þat helpeþ soules for to saue; No þing may so muchel avayle Of heore peynes and heore trauayle As þe sacrament of þe Auteer, HitF. Ne makeþ hem of peynes cleer.so c. And þat may I schewe apertely Bi a tale of seynt Gregori: (3.) Aarracio felicis presbitcri. Seint Gregori seiþ for þe same: Hit was a prest, ffelix his name; Bi-syde he wonedeF. hys wonyng in a paþe, Was a wassching In an hote baþe. Þis prest ofte þider ȝede, To wassche him whon he hedde nede. Þis prest þer euer [redi]F. redy he fonde A Mon to wassche him,F. þat serued hym to foot and honde; He drouȝ his hosen of and his schon And redi was hem on to don; At eueri tyme he þider com His herneisF. Hys shone & hys hosen feire of he nom, And seruede him at eueri tyde In þat watur and ofteF. eke beo-syde. Þis prest þat com þider so ofte, Þat þis mon þer seruede so softe, He ne askede hym neuer-more Wheþen he was ne hou he com þore; But eueri tyme he was redi And seruede him ful apertely.F. peynybly (penyblely) Þis prest þouȝte, "he serueþ me wel, His trauayle wol I quite sum-del." On a day he þider þouhte And twey loues wiþ hym he brouhte. In to þat baþ ȝeode þat prest And wusch him as he dude nest; Þis mon was þere him aȝeyn, To serue him wel he dude his Mayn. Þis prest, whon he scholde go,F. furþe go He ȝaf þis mon þis loues two, And þonked him muchel his seruyse, And more he scholde haueF. he wulde oþurwyse. Þis Mon onswerde þis prest a-ȝeyn: "Þis bred ȝe bringeþ to me in veyn, ffor neuer-more schal I ȝete Bred ne non oþur mete: I am a Mon þat is ded, Þat neuer-more schal ete bred." Þe prest asked: "on what manere Is hit þat þou wonest here?" Þis Mon onswerde in þat tyde:F. a. & seyd "I was lord here ar I dyede,F. deyde And þis seruise þat I am Inne Is þe peyne for my synne. Bote I þe preye par charite, Offre on þe Auter þes loues for me; And I beseche þe ouer alle þynge Þat sixe Masses for me þou synge; And heo weore songen, I hope to wende In to þe Ioye wiþ-outen ende. And whon þe sixte masse is left, Ȝif þou ne fynde me her eft, Trouwe [þou] þenne forsoþe i-wis Þat for þi preyere I am in Blis." Þis prest al þat wike longe ffor þisF. þys same mon preyede and songe. And whon þe wike was al gon, Þe prest com þidere, and fond non; He hopedeF. beleuede þan wel þat he was brouht To blisse, for he ne fond him nouht.— Beo þis tale ȝe may se Þat hit is gret Charite Masses for þe dede to synge, Þe soules [out] of pyne forte bringe. OuerF. Passyng alle þing hit haþ pouwer, Þe sacrament of þe Auter, And nomeliche whon hit is don Wiþ good monnes deuocion; Him wol god sannore here Þen on þat is him nouht so dere. In þe seueþe Comaundement Toucheþ to þis sacrament In a tale of þatF.a kniht, Hou þe prest þat liueþ not riht, Of his preyere is luytel prou, And þere hit telleþ wel hou.See F. p. 72-76. And I schal telle anoþur here Of a Masse of a good frere: (4.) hou a man of Souþfolk was saued þorou a masse. A Mon in Souþfolk ones dyed, Bi-sydes Sudburi, as men seid. ffor þat mon such grace was diht Þat him was graunted to come a niht fforte speke wiþ his wyf, To mende þe fautes of his lyf. "Ȝef a Masse," he seide,om. in F. "were for me don Wiþ a good monnes deuocion, I hope to Ioye for to go And beo dilyueret of al my wo. I preye þe, dame, par charite To trauayle so muche for me." Heo graunted hym þat ilke bone, And ros vppon þe morwen sone And to þe ffreres sone heo code, Þer heo hopede best to spede. Heo com and spac wiþ a ffrere And preyed heo moste his masse here, And for hire hosebondes soule to synge, And heo wolde ȝiue hym offringe. Þe ffrere dude hire a Mes In Comuyn, as þe seruise is. Whon þis Masse I-songen was, Heo wente hom a good pas. Þe niht aftur þenne com he. "Slepestou?" he seide. "nay," seide heo; "Are ȝe ȝit," heo seyde, "in blis? Þe Masse for ow I-songen is." "Þe Masse," he seide, "þou dudest do,F. be do A parti hit helpeþF. halpe me þerto; Mi part ich hedde of þat Mes As of þing þat Comuyn is. Ȝif on weore specialy for me seid, Of my peyne I were ful leyd,al. F. Ȝif þe prest were of lyf so good Þat God his preyere vndurstood; I hope þenne grace to haue Þat his Masse mihte me saue;" Ofte he seide to his wyf: "A prest, A prest of clene lyf!" On þe Morwen forþ heo eode To þe ffreres eft toF. et god spede, And schewed hit to þe priour, And preyed him of socour; Ȝif he hedde eny broþur Þat he kneuhF. hopede were beter þen oþur, "Þat wol synge me a Mes ffor a Mon þat ded is, AtF. And at myn ese he schal haue To a pitaunce what he wol craue." Þe prior spac toF. vn-to a ffrere And preyed him on alle manere Þat he wolde a Masse synge ffor þat soule heo made preyinge. Þe ffrere was an holy mon; And ar [þat] he his Masse bi-gon, He preyed to god his orison, WiþF. Yn a gret deuocion,afflyceyoun Þat hit mihte ben him to pay, Þe Masse þat he scholde synge to-day. Whon þe Masse was don to þe ende, He bad þe wommon hom [to] wende, "And whon þou more eft heres, Cum and sey to vre ffreres!" Þe niht aftur—lustneþ now!— He com and seide: "slepestou?" "Nay," heo sayde, "hou fare ȝe?" "Wel," he seide, "and so worþ þe!" "Sire, weore ȝe a-payed of þat Mas Þat for ow to-day songen was?" "Ȝe," he seide, "graunt Merci! Þat Masse to me is more worþi Þen al þe world an hundred siþe, Ne miht haue mad me neuerF. half so bliþe. His preyere was to god so dere, ffor al þat he preyedeF. þat he besoghte wyþ he wolde here; Þeih he hedde preiȝed for a þousund mo, ffrom peyne to blisse þei hedde i-go;F. he had broȝt þo ffor what þing he hedde asked bone, God wolde haF. God hade graunted him fulas sone. Haue good day! for now I wende To þat Ioye wiþ-outen ende. God lete þeF. vs neuere þer-of mis, Þou ne he,F. Wyþ-outyn ende to haue þat blis." Þe wyf com sone on þe Morn And fel on knes þat ffrere bi-forn And tolde him þer eueridel Hou he for his preyere was wel. And þat ffrere ful wel heF. þarby lette, And þonked God, for Ioye he grette. Wel weore hym at his endynge Hedde such a prest for him to synge!— In þis tale schewed is: OfF. Ouer alle þing good is þe mes, ÞeF. For þe sacrament on þe Auter Ouer alle passeþ his pouwer. In þe Masse þei hem a-fye Þe soules þat are in purgatorie.2 vv. om.: ffor hyt makeþ mencyun of þe passyun As Iesu cryst to deþ was doun Þe sone is offred to þe ffadur of heuene ffor þe soules þe prest wol nempne; Þat is þus for toF. Also þys tale wyl mene: Ȝif þe prest beo good and clene, Þenne wol Ihesu crist hym heere, ffor what þyng he makeþ preyere; Preye he for soule or for bodi, Þat aren in pyne orF. or here in nuy, Boþe wol god almihti saue What þe gode prest wolde haue. Not only for soulus is he herd, Bote eke for vs here in þis world. Beo a Mon in seknesse or in prisun, Weyferynge, or in temptaciun, Or in eny oþur trauayle, Þe sacrament wol vs a-vayle; Hit wol delyuere vs out of peyn, Ȝif vr trouþe beo certeyn. And þat was wel schewed in dede In Engelonde, so seiþ seint Bede: In his Bokes writen hit is, A feir Miracle of þe Mes: (5.) Aarracio Bede.Cf. Hist. Eccl. IV. c. 22. ÞatF. What tyme seint Bede was liuonde,man lyuande Weore Mony kynges in þis londe. Bi-twene two was gret Batayle— Þerfore i telle þis Meruayle; Þat on hiht Edfride, of North Cuntre, Þat oþur of lindeseye was he. Edfride hedde gret seygneri, Seynt Andreu hosbonde of hely.F. Audre Þis Batayle was bi boþe heore a-sent Bi-sydes a watur men calleþ Trent. Sire Elfrider. Edfrides broþur hette Eleswynne,F. Elfwynne He was slayn þat Batayle Inne; On boþe partys ne was non So feir a kniht of fflesch and bon, Ne non so douhti was of Armes— Þerfore seint Bede pleynede his harmes. A-noþur kniht wasF. also was feld doun Nerhonde ded, and fel in swoun; Þe nome of þis ȝonge kniht Ruyna,F. Iumna seiþ seint Bede, he hiht. Whon þis Ruyna hedde long leyn, He keuerde, and seet vp aȝeyn, And stopped his woundes þei schulde not blede, And, as he mihte, þennes he ȝede, To seche him help sumwher to haue, OfF. Or frendes fynde him to saue. As he wente wiþ muchel drede, He was taken wiþ kyng Coldrede;F. Eldrede And brouht him F. vn-to a lordyng, An Erl, þat heold of þe kyng. Þe Erl asked him what he was, And wher he hedde ben in hard cas. ffor doute of deþ he was a-friht And dorste not seye he was a kniht; He seide: "sire, ȝif þi willeMS. welle be, I am an hosebonde-monF. om. mon of þe cuntre, I was wont to lede vitayle To knihtes þat weoren in Batayle; And nou I am a pore mon, Þus fro þis Batayle I com,F. wan And wolde fonde to haueF. saue my lyf, Til I may come to my wyf." Þis Erl dude a leche bi stoundes To tenteF. Tende to hym, to hele his woundes. Þat tyme was here mony þeodes, Mony vsages, andF. yn mony leodes, ffor vche a kyng in þat dawesF. dawe Vsede his diuerse lawes: Summe were cristene in vre fay, And summe leeuede in paynymes lay; Þerfore þat tyme was muchel þro, And ofte was boþe werre and wo. Ȝif a knihtF. kyng miht oþer men take, He scholde hem sulle or in seruage make. Wherfore i telle so of þis kniht: Þe Erl let him bynde eueriche niht, Þat he ne scholde from hym fle Ne stele a-wey to his cuntre. ffor al þat þei mihte him bynde, Ofte loos þei dude hym fynde; Neuer so faste þeih heo him bounde, Loos a-noþur tyme þei him founde. Þis bounden kniht, Ruyna, Hedde a Broþur, þat hihte Tymma;F. Tumna Þis Tymma was prest Religious, ffor he was Abbot of an hous, So longe he liuede in þat estre Þat his nome heet Tymmestre;F. Tuncestre Þat tyme,F. tounne as ich vndurstonde, Hit was in Northhumberlonde. Þis Abbot hedde tiþinges certeyne Þat Ruyna was in Batayle slayne. He com to Trent, þis Abbot Tymma, And fond a bodi lyk to Ruyna; Honorabliche he dude hit graue In his chirche þer he wolde hit haue, And song þerfore day and oþur: He wende hit hedde ben his broþur. Þauh Tymma hedde chosun wrong, His broþur hedde þe goodusF. godenesse of þe song— ffor God al wot, and wust hit þere ffor whom he made his preyere:— Þeih men a-niht þis kniht bounde, A-Morwe þei hym loos founde, Men mihte hym neuere bynde so festF. yn bondes so feste Þat þei[the bonds] þat tyme nolde al to-berst. Þe men þat hedde þis kniht in holde, Þis wondur to þe Erl þei tolde. Þe Erl hedde þer-of gret wondur Þat þis bondes weore so in-sondur; He seide, him-self wolde wiþ him speke And wite whi his bondes dude breke. Bi-fore þe Erl was he set,F. fette And þe Erl feire he gret. "Sey me," he seide, "þou belamy, Const þou wel on sorcery? Sum wicche-craft I trouwe þou bere Þat þi bondes þe not dere; fforsoþe," he seyde, "sumwhat þou dos Þat euer-more þei fynde þe loos." He seide: "wicche-craft con I nouht, Ne for me schal non beo wrouht, Ne I nul be by fendes craft vn-bounde beo,F. ne bi no wicche-craft. Sire Erl," he seide, "hit is a-noþur: In my cuntre I haue a Broþur, Þat leeueþ wel þat I beo slayn, ffor I com not hom aȝeyn; ffor me he syngeþ vche day a Mes— prest, abbot forsoþe he is. I wot wel, þat is þe enchesun Þat my Bondus hereF. are so vndon; ffor no þing ne haues pouwer Aȝeyn þe sacrament of þe auter. ffor, ȝif I weore ded, in oþur werld, His preyere for me weore I-herd, To bringe me out of peyne and wo, And siþen to blisse forte go." Al þat Meyne and þat Erl Leeuede wel he was no cherl, asMS. And as he to-fore hem hedde i-seid Whon þei on hym furst hond leyd; Bi his semblaunt and feir beryng Hym semed wel a gretF. to be a lordyng, Bi his speche þei vndurstood Þat he was mon of gentil blod. Þe Erl tok him in priuite, Wheþen he was telle scholde he; "Sey me soþ, and, as I am treweom. in F. kniht, Þou schalt no skaþe haue, be my miht."F. ne plyȝt "Seþþhe þou me bi-hotest pes and griþ, I am þe kynges mon Eldriþ;F. Edfryth Armes I bar in þat Batayle, Wiþ my pouwer him to auayle." "So me þhouȝte," seide þe Erl, "ÞouF. þe semed not to ben a cherl. Bote for þi knowlechyng her me byeF. But for þat y here þe seye Þou weore worþi for to dye, ffor þou halpF. hylpe þer to slo, Þat al my kynde is ded me fro; Bote, for I er sikerde þe, Scha[l]t þou haue no skaþe for me." He eode and sold him for Raunsoun At Londone to a ffrisoun. A ffrisoun, ȝe schul vndurstonde, Is a Mon of ffrys-londe. Þis ffrisoun scholde þis Mon forþ lede, And dude on him bondes for drede, ffor a-skapyng bi þe weye He dude bondes on him leye. Bot þat vaylede him no-þyng Neuer a day, þat byndyng: ffor in þat tyme þe masse was songen, Þe bondes to-barst and al to-sprongen. Þis ffrison þhouȝte: "hou may þis beo? He may riht wel from me fleo; Happyliche hit a-vayleþF. vayled nouht Þe Catel þat I wiþ him bouht." Þe ffrison seide: "wolt þou wel Restore a-ȝeyn al my Catel, And I schal ȝiue þe leue to go To þi Cuntre þat þou com fro. But furst þou schalt me trouþe pliht, And trewely hold hit wiþ al þi miht, To bringe þe Catel I ȝaf for þe, And elles I graunte þe not fre." He graunted him al þat he seide, And trouþe in hond wiþ hym he leide. Þis Ruyna wente to kyng loer, Þat was kyng of Caunturber— He was seint AndreasF. Andre suster sone, And Ruyna was wont wiþ hymF. here to wone; Of al his stat, boþe wo and wele, Ruyna told him eueridele. Þe kyng ȝaf him his Raunsun; And [he] bar hit to londun to þat ffrisun. Seþþe eode he hom, þis kniht Ruyna, To his broþur, Abbot Timma, And tolde him of al his wo-fare And of his cumfort in al his care. Þis Abbot wel vndurstood Þat his Masse dude him gret good And þe sacrament gon hym borwe Out of seruage and out of sorwe. Þis tale telleþ vs seynt Bede In his gestes þat we Rede.— Bi þis tale may men lere Þat Masses helpeþ vs wel here: ffor vs liuynge hit makeþ Memorie, Also for þe soules in purgatorie. Vche mon schal leeue þat riht Þat helpen hit wolle as [hit] dudeF. þat holpe wyl be as was þe kniht. Þis sacrament helpeþ not ȝit alone, Bote þe offrynges euerichone, Al þat we offre atte Mes, Al to vre saluacion hit is. Not only forte saue þe dede,F. þo þat dede beþ Þe quike hit saueþ also and rede;F. redeþ As wel haue þe quike þe prou As þe dede þerof þe vertu nouom. in F.; Quike and dede, More and lesse Ben I-saued þorwh þe Messe. Þe Offringe is as a present, Þat helpeþ vs wiþ þe sacrament, To þe ffadur of heuene tentefuly, ffor whom þou offerest to haue Merci. A tale I fond ones I-writen, And as I sauh hit, I wol ȝe witen, And wel a-cordeþ in alle þinge Þat God is payed of good offringe. (6.) Of a man þat was closed in a myne. Hit was a Mon bi-ȝonde þe séé, A Mynour, wonede In a Citee. Mynours, þei makeþ in hulles holes, As men don þat secheþ coles. Þer. þis Mynour souht stones vndur molde Þat Men of maken seluer and golde. He wrouhte and holede in þe hille. A perilous chaunce fel hym tille: A gret parti of þe Myne ffel doun þer and closed hym Inne. His felawes alle þat weren hym hende, Þat he weore ded wel þei wende; Þei eode and tok hem alle to Rede, And tolde his wyf þat he was dede. Þis wommon bi-menede hir hosebonde sore— God leeue þat mony such wymmen wore!— Heo helped his soule in alle þynge, In almes-dede and in offringe; Heo Offred for him atte Auter fful of wyn a picher, And [a] feir lof wiþ-al, Eueri day asF. as for a principal, And al þat twelf-moneþ stabely, Bote o day þat passed forby. ffewe suche wymmen [now] we fynde Þat to heore hosebondes are so kynde! Bote þis wyf wiþ al hire miht Dude for him [boþeF. boþe; MS. Vern. om.] day and niht. Hit fel at þe twelfmoneþ ende, His felawes to þe hul gon wende, And come to þat same stude eft Þer þei heore felawe in werk left. Riht þere þei furst bi-gon Þei percede þorwh in to þe Mon: Þe Mon In good stat þei founde, Liuinge, wiþ-outen wem or wounde. Euerichone þei hedde ferly, And þat was gret Resun why! Alle þo men weore in gret weer How he hedde lyued al þat ȝer. Bote þenne he tolde hem euerichon How he hedde lyued þer al-on: "I haue I-liued gracious lyf Þorwh cortesye of my wyf: Eueri day heo haþ me sent Bred and wyn to present; But o day, þenne eet I nouht, ffor my mete me nas not brouht." Þei ladde þe mon in to þe toun, And tolde þis Miracle vp and doun, ffurst þorwh þe Citéé, And seþþe þorwh al þe contre. Hit com in spekyngF. þey asked hym atte laste Þat day þat he dude faste. He tolde hem þe dayes name, And his wyf seide þe same: Þat day heo offrede neuer a del, Þe goode ffriday hit mihte be wel. Now may ȝe here þat almes-dede Gostlyche wole a mon fede, And so may ȝe wel vnderstande Þat God is payed of good offrande.— ffor al þis tale in ȝor lyues Trustneþ not in ȝor wyues, Ne in ȝour children no-þing; Makeþ or-self ȝour offring! So kynde a wommon as I of tolde Liueþ not now, beo ȝe bolde! Ne no clerk þat þis redes Schal fynde non nou of so kynde dedes.— Ȝe men þat are nou In present, Þat hereþ rede þis sacrament, Ouer alle þing hit haþ power, Þe sacrament on þe Auter, As I haue here to ow i-schewed, Not to lered bote to lewed. Ȝe lewede men, I telle hit ow— Þis clerkes con hit wel I-nouh. Preiȝe we þenne vr creatour, Þatom. in F. þe sacrament, vr saueour, Þat Bodi and soule he wol vs saue, And we him toom. in F. loue and he us toom. in F. haue. Amen. XXXII. Hou a man schal lyue parfytly. (A translation of the first part of St. Edmund's Speculum).

This treatise follows the Gospels without being separated from them, either by a larger Initial or special title; yet it is a separate treatise, being a translation of the first part of St. Edmund's Speculum; it was made perhaps from a prose translation such as is found in MS. Vern., f. ccclv., and Thornton (E. E. T. Soc. 1867, p. 15 seq.). The sense is frequently obscured and corrupted. Another translation of St. Edmund's Speculum is Þe Spore of Loue, p. 268 ff. The Speculum is printed in De La Bigne's Magna bibliotheca veterum patrum, ed. Col. 1618, vol. XIII, p. 355.

 The following Introduc|tion (1-50) agrees with the Index to the prose-transl. in MS. Vernon (but is want|ing in MS. Thornton).IN nome of him Alweldyng Þat is vr heiȝe heuene-kyng, Takeþ hede here in alle wyse To fleo þe sunne of Couetyse And alle þe dedly Synnes samed Þat her-aftur schul beo named. In the Spec. precedes: Quo|modo homo debet respicere ad statum suum.Ȝe mouwe also here hardily Hou mon schal lyue parfytly; Þenne schul ȝe here also What is þe wille of god euermo; Also schul ȝe here now rede What þing makeþ mon holy in dede; Þen schul ȝe here, ȝif ȝe wol trouwe, Hou mon schal him-self knowe, In bodi and in soule also, Wher he liue treweli or ne do; Also mowe ȝe here in hiȝ Þe godnesse of god þat is euer redi; Þen mowe ȝe heere in þis ryme How a Mon schal spende his tyme. Also heere lerne we may Hou þat we schule vre lord pay.Spec.: Quomodo homo debet contemplari Deum in creatura. Herkneþ alle feire and stille: Heere schul ȝe so of godus wille, As witnesseþ folliche hit Þe Bok þat is cald holi writ: Þe seuen dedlich synnus, þe braunches also, I wol ȝow telle, ar ȝe go; Þe seuen vertuwes of Ion þe Ewangelist,= the seven blessings, which however are given in Math. 5, 3. Spec.: De 7 virtutibus evangelicis. ÞatMS. þas was ful wel wiþ Ihesu Crist; Þe seuen ȝiftus of þe holigost, Þe whuche ben of mihtes most, And of heore strengþe also I-feere Sumwhat þenne mowe ȝe lere; Þen schul ȝe heere in presens Whuch ben þe ten Comaundemens; Þe[n] schul ȝe heere feir and briht Of þreocf. v. 857 ff., where the 4 cardinal virtues (45-8) are included. vertuwes and of heore miht, Þat is ffeiþ, good hope, and loue, Þat wol vs bringe to blisse aboue; Of þe twelf Articles of þe ffey Schul we also sumwhat sey; Of þe seuen Sacramens, Þat euer ben in godus presens; So schul ȝe heere sum or al Þe ffoure vertuwes Principal: Prouwesse, Rihtwisnesse, and Meth, Strengþe also wiþ hem he geth; Of þe seuen werkes [of merci] also— Lord, ȝif vs grace hem wel to do.— Videte vocacionem vestram. (Paul, 1 Cor. 1, 26.) Þis wordus here þat I ow say, To Religious men longen þay; Þus muche ben þei forte mene, As ȝe schul heere al bydeene: "Seo," hesc. Poul seiþ, "bi-holde ȝe To what þing ȝe cleped be." Þat he seiþ, hem to redresse And to sturen hem to Parfytnesse. fforr. þerfor eueri Mon þat lyueþ here Ouhte ha Ioye and Serwe I-fere: Ioye for þe worþily wonynge Þat is ordeynt to wel lyuynge,MS. Th.: Ioy for þe holy religion Serwe also to haue þerbi ffor vre liuynge vnrihtfuli. ffor her seiþ seint Eusebi Wordus þat ben ful dredfuly: "A Mon to Religiun him dresse Is aller-hext sikernesse; Not parfyt liue þer-inne son Is aller-hext Dampnacion." In Religiun we to beo don Is aller-hext Saluacion: Ȝif þow wolt þat saluacion proue, Al þat is good þou most loue, Þou most louer. leue eke also Al þat Religiusr. þe world? longeþ to; Þou most al þi wille ȝiue Parfytly and sikerly to liue. And seint Bernard vs techeþ in hiȝ To liue Mekeli, loueli, and worschipfuli. Þat "worschipfuli" is to mene, To Godus worschipe feir and clene, Þat þou do al þyn entent To don al his Comaundement; To don his biddyng þou not asterte In al þat þou may þenke wiþ herte, And loke þou no þing þer-of breke Wiþ al þat þou wiþ mouþ mai speke, Or worche in dede wiþ-oute striue Wiþ eny of þi wittes fyue, Wiþ siȝt of Eȝe, wiþ Tonge tastyng, Smellyng of Neose, of Ere heryng; What þou dost bi wei or strete Wiþ bodi worching, going wiþ feete, Liggyng, stondyng, þenkyngr. sittyng also, Loke ȝif hit beo godus wille or no. Ȝif hit beo his wille, do hit son; Ȝif hit ne beo, hit not don, Do hit not þenne for no maystrie, Þouȝ þou scholdest þerfore dye.— Þenne mony mon loud and stille Wol aske, what is godus wille. Hit is to vs boþe more and les To haue vs euere in holynes.— Þenne is to wite what, and whi, Þat makeþ a mon þenne holi. Two þinges þer ben In worchyng: Þat on is loue, þat oþur knowyng; Þat is knowyng of alle soþnes, And loue of alle grete goodnes. To knowyng of god þat is soþnes Maist þou not come in blod and flesch, Bote to knower. þorw knowyng þin owne flesch,r. self? And alsor. to loue of godus grete goodnes, Maistou not come, as I þe mene, Wiþ-outen loue of þin Euencristene. To knowyng of þi-sel[f] maistou Come þorwh good þenkyng nou;Sp. per frequentem meditacionem Þou mayȝt come to godus knowynge Þorwh þin owne feire plesynge.per puram contemplacionem To knowe þi-self old or ȝinge Maistou come bi þis bithinkynge: Þenk bisiliche, I preye þe, What þou weore, art, and schalt be, ffurst as to þi bodi here, Seþþhe to þi soule þat is so dere. As to þi bodi: foulore hit is Þen euer was eny donge, I-wis— Was neuer ȝit dounge so foule Þat wolde so stinke, rote and moule; Þou weore in so gret fulþe igete, Abhominable hit is þerof to speke; Þou schalt beo dilyueret to frete To Todus and oþur wormes mete. What þou hast ben & art, haue in mynde, Þat þi soule beo not beo-hynde;— What þi soule schal beo in tyme comyng, May no mon knowe but heuene-kyng. Þenk þou hast In chele and hete I-do mony wikkednesse and grete, Þenk also, hem to redresse Þow hast laft mony gret goodnesse. Þenk also, þat þis beo not weyued, Þat longe hast lyued, and muche reseiued, And hou þou hast spendet þat reseit; To þe þenne wol þis beo ful streit: ffor vch a tyme, drede þe nouȝt, Þat þou hast not on god I-þouȝt, Þou hast so loren of þi dispens And don aȝeyn þi lordus defens— ffor hit is vr lordus biddyng To loue him ouer al oþur þyng. ffor þou schalt ȝelde also a-counte What vch an Idel word wol amounte, Also to Acountes þou schalt beo brouȝt ffor euerich Idel werk and þouht; And as vch an her on þin hed is wried Þat is saued schal beo glorifyed, Also schal no þing ascape Wiþ-outen a-counte erly or late. . . . . ffor þe soule þer hit is holde, Is more þen al þis worldus molde— Here is muche of godus grace! Ȝit schal hit ocupye no place. Þe Bodi and þe soule ben al a-stray, Diuerse þouȝtes, willes, disires al day: Ho mihte þenne seche his herte so niȝ To ȝiue acountes al trewely Of al þat euere he hedde mys-wrouht Or eny mis-dede hedde in þouht? Seoþ now, breþeren bi ten or twelue, How ȝe ha neode to knowe or-selue!— Tac good ȝeme what þou [now] art To soule, and let hit not astart, Whon þou hast in þe luytel of goode, Luitel of wit and pouwer and moode, Þis is þus muche forte say Þat þou coueytest vche a day Þing þat nouht is worþ in dede Ne þat þe helpe mai at gret nede. Help vs god þat sitteþ on lofte, ffor elles beo we bigyled ofte, Oþurwhile þorwh Ragynge as vnwitti, And oþurwhile beo veynMS. veny glori; Now are we trauaylet in to drede I-lope, Now beo þe wey of fals hope. Þow art so chaungable be-hynde & bi-forn, Þat we wol to-day we wol not to-morn; Ofte vr-seluen for to plese Are we aboute worldly ese, But we haue hem at vr wille We beo turmented, us þinkeþ wiþom. wiþ ille: Whon þou hem at þi wille most hast, Þen art þou wiþ hem agreued mast. Þenk wel ȝit, I rede þe, Hou liht þou art to tempted be, ffebel and Brutel to stonde a-ȝeyn, Redi to asente wiþ al oure mayn. Of alle þeos Merueylous chaunces Vr lord haþ sent vs diliueraunces, And vche oþur day þerforer. þerfro He vs dilyuereþ more and more.r. mo Whon þou weore nouȝt, he formede þe, Þi soule to his liknesse to be, And þy stinkynde bodi also ffoormed he wiþ lymes two, So feir and noble and of gret prise Þat no Mon may no such deuise. Þenk bisiliche, ȝe Þat loueþ or ffadres and modres fre, Whi ȝe louen hem so tenderly— I wolde wite þe resun whi. Ȝif þou seist þus, as soþ hit is, ffor þou wer born and geten of her flesch: So don þe beestes, soþ to say, Þat breden of Mon and wommon al day. Þe soþe ȝif þou wol lerne þen, Bodi ne soule nastou of hem, But bi him ful witterli Þat is vr lord, god Almihti. What heddestou ben, I preye þe, Ȝif þou heddest stille such i-be In fulþe of synne as þou i-gete were? fful Abhomynable hit is to here. Ȝif þou loue broþur or suster þan ffor þei ben of þat fflesch i-tan Þat þou weore þi-self also— Þerfore þat loue hast þou hem to: Þou scholdust þen loue hard and nesch A pece of ffadur or Modur fflesch In þis Maner, þat I sei here, Al on Schornesr. of-shorne þeiȝ hit were. Ȝif þou sigge in þis degre Þou louest hem, for flesch figured þei be To þi liknes, and for þei han Soule of god as þou hast tan: Bi þis is he no more þi broþur But on as muche as is a-noþur, But in as muche neuer-þe-latur As ȝe hedde boþe on flesch-fadur, And þenne þe biginnyngMS. bigimyng of vre flesch Is stynkynde fulþe neuerþeles. Of O flesch-ffadur alle we came, Adam was he cald bi name; And for he dude so gret folye, Scholde we neuer loue her fleschlye, Bute vche Mon þus scholde loue oþur Gostlich here as sustur and broþur.— Ihesu, þat is vr aller kyng, As I seide atte bygynnyng, Whon þou weor nouȝt, þen formed he þe. Whon þou weore lore, þen fond þe he, Whon þou weore sold in sorwe and sinne, Þen bouȝt he þe wiþ muchel wynne; Whon þou were diht, i-dampned also, Þen mihtfulliche he saued þe þo; Whon þou weore boren in synne eke, He Baptised þe wiþ wordus swete. And whon þou sungest, al day to se, Þen Mekeliche he soffreþ þe, And longe he wol ȝit þe abyde, Resseyue þe aftur, so may be-tyde, And putte þe in to his swete couent, Euer to beo to him present. Whon þou mis-dost, he wol þe þrete, Longe he bydeþ ar he wol bete; Whon þou syngest wiþ wille fre, fful sone wol he for-ȝiue hit þe. Whon þou mis-gost eke also, He þe Amendeþ wiþ wille ful þro, Whon þat þou in doute art ouht, In to þe techyng he haþ þe brouht; Whon þou art hungri in eny neode, ffeire he ordeyneþ þe to ffeede; Whon þou hast colde, he warmeþ þe, Mon, Whon þou hast hete, he keleþ þe þon; Whon þou wakest,MS. walkest he saueþ þe so, Whon þou slepest, he kepeþ þe to; Whon þou rist vp, he þe sosteyneþ, Whon þou fallest, he þe reiseþ, Whon þou sittest, he halt þe ek, Whon þou stondest, he strengþeþ þi feet, And also, soþ for to say, He vndursitteþ þe euere and ay; Whon þou gost, he wol þe lede, Whon þou aȝeyn turnest, resseyueþ þe eke, Whon þou gost mis, a-ȝeyn calleþ he,r. þe Whon þou art seek, þi cumfort tor. wol? be.— Such goodnesses in mony degre Haþ vr lord god I-do for þe. And goodnesse in þyn herte wore, Þou weore holden euer-more Alle dayes to þenke [on him] I-wis, And alle tymes to þonke for þis, Alle dayes to speke to [him] Aboue And alle dayes him hertly loue,= praise And also wel, ȝit i þe say, On niht as vppon þe day. Þerfore þou þat art þus wrouȝt, At euen and morwe haue þus þi þouȝt Hou mony þousund men to say Han perisched in þat niht or þat day, Summe in bodi, soþ hit is, Summe in soule leosen her blis; Summe in fuire and oþur maneere, Summe in water þat is so clere; Summe Robbed and woundet also; Summe sodeynly to deþ han go Wiþ-outen schrif and hosul þen Þat hem þe rihte wei scholde ken, And for defaute of Confessiun Parauntur go to dampnaciun. ÞEnk also, a-noþur is þis Þat niht and day moni mon is ffalle in peril of soule way, Þat þe fend haþ mad hem stray, Þat is to sei þus forþi In þe seuen synnes dedly: In Glotenye and Lecherie, Monslauȝt also and Envye. And of alle þeose wikkede chaunses Haþ crist mad þe diliueraunces, He haþ þe saued as mihti kyng Wiþ-outen þyn owne deseruyng! And what hastou don him and whare Þat haþ þe kept from al þis care? Ȝif þou toke þus goode kepe Whon þou awakest of þi slepe, Hou mony goodnesses he haþ þe do, And euer is to þe aboute mo, Þow schuldest him loue souereynli Ouer al þis world, witterli; Þou schalt him fynde so bisy now Euermore a-boute þi prow As non oþur þyng he aboute were But þe to kepe whil þou art here. Whon þou hast þouȝt in þis wyse, A-Morwe soone vp arise And þonke þi lord of al þis goode, Þat for þe wolde dye on Roode, And sei to him wiþ herte fre In þis maner þat i sei to þe: Gracias ago tibi, domine Ihesu criste, qui me [mise|rum peccatorem]so MS. Simeon in hac nocte custodi[sti], [pro|texisti], visitasti, sanum saluum & incolimem ad hanc horam peruenire fecisti, & pro alijs vniuersis beneficiis queMS. qui michi tua sola bonitate contulisti. Qui viuis & regnas deus per omnia.The English translation is omitted. Sey þus, for hit is to þi by-heue, Boþe on Morwen and at eue. vv. 355-362 are not in the Spec.ÞEnk þenne, I rede, also, Ar þat þou to þi bed go, Hou þou hast spendet þi tyme honeste Whon þou vp ros til þou go to reste; And whon þou hast bi-þouȝt þe wel, Bi-sech god merci eueridel Of al þe synnes þat þou hast wrouȝt, And goodnesse þou hast do nouȝt Whil vr lord þe lante miht, In þat day ne in þat niht. And loke þou do non oþur dede Til þou haue þe Comaundet, I rede, Þe and alle oþur goode eke In to þe hond of god ful meke, And þenne schaltou þusThe Latin text (In manus tuas &c.) is omitted. say In þis Manere, I þe pray. . . . . What þeos wordus ben to mene, Ȝe schul on Englich here bi-dene: "In to þin hondes, lord verray, And in to þin holy Aungeles ay, I be-teche þis ilke niht Mi bodi and soule to þe be diht, Mi breþeren and my sustren alle, And al my frendes, what-so bi-falle, And my nexte frendes eke, And al my gode doeres, i beo-seke, And also I be-seche at ene Alle oþur cristene for to mene. Kep vs, lord, þis niht in hiȝe, Þorwh þeMS. þi beo-sechyng of þi Modur Marie And of al halewen also Þat euer weore on eorþe i-do, ffrom vices and couetyse vn-hende And ffrom temptaciun of þe fende, Of sodeyn deþ vnwarned to telle, And also from þe pyne of helle; Liht myn herte of þe holy gost, As þou art lord of mihtes most, And of þi grete grace þou me take, To þi Comaundemens me boxum make, And neuer beo departet from þe Wiþ-outen ende, so mot hit be."— — Ȝif þou vse þis-Maner þing, Þen schaltou haue soþfast knowyng, To knowe þi lord in whom is al, Þat haþ þe Mad and saue schal. Loke þenne þat þis beo þe rif, Her-wiþ to lede holy lyf.— — Þreo Maners þer beo þen Of Contemplaciun vs to ken: Þe furste of hem þat þer is, In Creatures hit is, i-wis; Þat oþur in holy writ, we fynde; Þe þridde in god and in his kynde. Contemplaciun is, siker ȝe beo, Þe goodnesse of god for to seo. Bi hisMS. þis Creatures may þou seo þan Þreo þinges ben In god and Man; Þis þreo ben, vs to redresse: Miht, wit, and gret goodnesse.2 vv. wanting (Miht is ap|propred to god þe Fader).. . Wit to god þat is sone, Goodnes to god holigost in wone. Þorwh his miht, þat wel was torned, Alle þinges þei ben formed; Þorwh his wit, so wel demeyned, Alle þinges wysliche her. be ordeyned; Þorwh his goodnesse, not denyed, Alle þeose þinges her. be multiplyed. His pouwer maistou seo þe laft Þorwh her gretnesse and here schaft; His wit also wiþ-outen distaunce Þorwh heore bounter. beaute and ordynaunce; His godnesse may we seo ful newe Bi heore Multiplicaciun and vertuwe. Heore gretnesse may we seo Wiþ foure propurtesLat. dimensiones þat þer beo, Þat is folliche for to say Þorwh heore heiȝnesse and depnesse ay, Þe oþur two ben of strengþe Þat isMS. was þorwh heore brede and lenge. His wit maistou seo ful breme, Ȝif þou þerof take good ȝeme, Þer as he haþ ȝiue sum creature þore Beoyng wiþ-outen eny more, Þat is as muche forte say As stones þat ben in world al day.Some vv. wanting: (to sum being & liuing as to treon & grases).. . . . . He haþ ȝiue to oþur þynge Lyf, beoynge, and fleoynge,r. felynge And al þise ben bi his hestes To þat þing þat men callen bestes. To oþur haþ he ȝiuen also Lyf, beoynge, and fleoinger. felynge bo, And also more þing of Renoun: He haþ to hemMS. him I-ȝiue resoun; Þis þing is I-ȝiuen þen Boþe to Aungel and to men. Stones noþing may þei feele, Ne grases, and ȝit lyue þeisc. grases wele; Bestes lyuen and feleþ þe; Mon lyueþ and waxeþ as doþ þe tre, And as a Best feeleþ, he doþ, And resun as Angel haþ he soþ. Þenk þou on þat dignite To creature of Mon is ȝiue so fre, Hou þat his ȝift wiþ honoures Sormounteþ alle oþur Creatoures. Þerfore seiþ Austyn þus fol riht: "I nolde ben Aungel, þeiȝ I miht, Heore stat wolde I forsake þan ffor þat stude was purueyed for man." ÞEnk also, Mon is worþi Gret schenschipe, witerli, Þat wol not liue at godus wille And his Comaundemens folfille, Whon alle Creatures þat ben and were Ben ordeynd for monnes mestere. Þe goode bestesr. creatures þat meke beo þon, Beoþ maad for þreo þinges for mon: ffor to helpen vs wiþ-outen fayle, As schep, hors, kuyn, in vre trauayle; And vs to feede,r. hyde? cf. MS. Thornt. and vs to cloþe, As leþer, ffleschr. flax (Th. lyne). and wolle boþe,2 vv. om.? cf. MS. Thornt. As Corn on eorþe and foules to be And also ffissches in þe Séé. Þe nuyȝing graȝes= grases and bestes venimous Ben ordeynd for þreo þinges to vs: ffor chastisyng, and amendement, And for techyng wiþ good entent. Chatised and punissched we ben in route Whon we ben hurt, and in such doute;i.e. in doubt of being hurt And þat is ful derworþli Of Godus owne grete merci— Þerfore bodili he com To Chastise vs, boþe god and Mon,MS. Th.: And þat es gret mercy of Godde þat he will chasty vs bodyly þat we be noght punescht lastandly. Þat we nere dampned wiþ-outen ende ffor to dwelle wiþ þe ffende. We ben amendet whil we wol mynne Þat al vr wo comeþ fro vr synne; Whon we seo þe soþe þus So smale creatures may greuen vs, Þen may we þinke þat we be fful of ffebelnesse and of ffrelete, We ouhten alle to beo ful Meke. Whon we godus werkes wol se and seke . . . . .The 3rd point (teaching of noious creatures) is wanting. Whon þou hast þus monyfolde Þe werkes of god folliche beo-holde, Lift vp þyn herte wiþ wille liht And þenk þe Muchelnes of Godus miht, Þat alle þing ordeyneþ in delyt, And al hit is for vre profyt. A, Lord, Merci! what schul we say Bot we þe serue to þi pay? Al þat he vs ȝaf to Multiplie, Alle þo Bestes we distruye; Ȝif God ordeyne and forme hem, We beo bisi to struiȝe hem þen.Some verses om.? Loueal. þei l.; loue = praise God for his goodnesse; Honoure him for his feirnesse; Glorifye him at þi redres And also for his grete prouwes.— ÞEn is þer a-noþur degre Of Contemplaciun, I telle þe, Þe wȝuche trewe and soþ is hit: Þat is cald holy writ; Þat wol teche þe wiþ-Inne, To drawe þe from peril of synne, Þe peyne forte douten ay, To loue þe Ioye þat come may. And euer loke, aboute þou be To holde wiþ þe Charite,513-14 ought to follow the 2 vv. om. after 518. The text is here very corrupt. Þis world also in alle wyse Þou beo aboute to dispise; Loke þou what is to done, And also loke what is to schone.2 vv. om., cf. Spec.: Quan|tum illuminat intellectum in cognitione veritatis, et quan|tum inflammat affectum in fervore caritatis. Of þis two þinges seruen hit Al þat is writen in holy writ: Þis ben þo two, to trowe, Þat þou schalt boþe leeuer. loue and knowe2 vv. om.; Spec.: Ex scriptura debes extrahere et cognos|cere: Wȝuche ben þe seuen synnes dedly, And þe seuen vertuwes þerby, Þe ten Comaundemens al-wey, And þe twelf Articles of þe fey, And þe seuen ȝiftus of þe holigost, And þe seuen sacremens most, And þe seuen werkes of Merci, And þe vertuwes of þe Ewangeli,The 7 praiers of the Paternoster are om. here and in the poem. And þe Ioyes also of heuen And þe peynes of helle to nemen. Off þe seuen dedly synnes. SEuen Sinnes þer ben dedly: Pruide, Wraþþe, Sleuþe, and Envy, Glotonye, and gredines= couetise, cf. v. 605. also, Couetyseom. Couetyse and lecheri, wiþ hem to go. Pruide no-þing elles ne is Bote loue to muche monnes hihnes. And of him comeþ oþur seuene: Vnbuxumnes, þat draweþ from heuene, Aȝeynes god, be þou serteyn, Or elles aȝeyn his souereyn; Þat is to sei, I telle þe son, To leue þat is hym beden don— Þus is he peired and not mendet, He doþr. And do þing þat him is defendet. Þat oþur þing is Auauntyng, These vv. are corrupt; cf. V. pr. tr.: whon a mon avaunteþ him of good þat he haþ of a-noþer or of an vuel (Th. of ill) þat he haþ of himself.Whon mon of oþur monnes þing And to him-self bi wikkednes He hateþ and bringeþ him in distres. Þe þridde spice is Ypocrisye, Whon mon feineþ him to haue in hiȝe Holines þat he haþ nouht, And doþVern. pr. tr. hut, Th. hydes. his wikkednes in dede and þouȝt. Þe ffeorþe spice, hit is þen Dispit þat he haþ to oþur men, Whon monMS. men reherceþr. repreueþ? (Th. lesses). oþur mennes good dede, He wolde beo holde þe beter in leode. Þe ffyfþe spice is Arrogaunce boun, Whon a Mon Makeþ comparisoun Bi-twenen his vuel doynges And oþur mennes for eny þinges, ffor his wikkednes and trespas Scholde seme muche þe las. Þe sixte spice is boldnesso V. pr. tr., Th. vnshamefulnesse in nome, Whon a Mon haþ no schome Of his grete wikkednes forþi Þat he haþ don so openly. Þe seuenþe Elaciun is to rede, Whon mon is proud of his vuel dede. Þou schalt wite boþe in and out Þat þis þreo þinges makeþ Mon prout: Þat is to wite and haue in muynde Þe goodes þat he haþ of kuynde, Þat is ofom. of? feirnes, or strengþe to say, Or souereyn wit, or Noblay— Þat noblei calle I in þis stage He þatr. þat he is prout of hei lynage. Þat oþur þing is and euer was Þe godus þat men han of purchas, As wittes,Th. cunnynge, V. sciens, Sp. scientia. vertuwes euerichane, Graces,al. grace Dignite, and eke good fame. Þe þridde is worldly godus þus, As Cloþinge, housynge, Rentes, possessions, Meyne, and also gret honour Of þe worldly þinges in eueri stour. Off Envye comeþ, haue we no care, Ioye of oþur mennes vuel-fare, And also to make sweryngr. serwyng gret ffor oþur mennes wel-farynge and get. And þat may ben in herte stinkynge,Sp. per afflictionem, Th. with lykynge Or in Mouþ þorwh Bakbytynge, Or in werkes of vuel entent Þorwh defaute of good entisement.Sp. per subtractionem boni vel incitamentum mali. Chidyng waxeþ of Wraþþe þen, Swellyng of herte amonges men, Schomeful wordus þenke to seyn, Sclaundre, and also gret dedeyn. Of slouȝþe comeþ drerines, wikkednus, and swelling Of foul wille, wiþ gret þretyng, Aboute godus comaundemens not to do, Wonhope, Rechelesnesse also,vv. 601 and 602 to be transp. Sp. desperatio, negligentia erga dei præcepta. Outrage wille of herte to sen Aboute þinges þat defendet ben. Off gredines= couetise comeþ tresun prest, fforswerynges, and wikked rest,so MS. Th. (V. feble rest); Sp. inquietudo. Violence, and hardnes of herte Aȝeynes Merci wiþ muchel vnquerte. ÞEnne þer comeþ of Glotonye Veyne gladnesse, and Lecherye, ffulþi,r. fulþe, V. Pr. tr. fulþe, Sp. immunditia Muche speche in hiȝing, And ful feble vndurstondyng. Of Lecherie comeþ blyndnes of herte, In Orisun wiþ muchel vnqwerte— In al þe preyers he scholde in be Nis þer wiþ him no stabulte; Of him comeþ fool-hastines also, Loue of him-self wol wiþ hym go, Hate of god þat vs bouht, Loue of þis world þat is nouht, Drede ofr. and dispeir Is al his wone Of þe world þat is to come. Þeose ben þe seuen dedly synnes forþi. Wel may þei ben cald dedli: Þe furste þreo dispoyleþ þe mon, Þe ffeorþe abateþ hym as he con, Þe ffyfþe byndeþ him in bonde,Sp. prosternit eum Þe Sixte deseyueþ him in londe, Þe seuenþe him put in þraldome, Him to muche harm and schome. ffor Pruide, beo þou þerof bolde, Bi-nymeþ a Mon his godMS. good, cf. v. 652. to holde; And Envye bi-nymeþ also him fro His euencristen,MS. owne self, cf. 654. from god to go; Wraþþhe, þat is a schrewed delf, Bi-nymeþ a Mon his owne self; Of Slouþe þat ilke foule synne Euere hit tormenteþ hymme;so Th. Gredines in eueri toun Casteþ þe vnsely mon adoun; Glotenye deseyueþ hym in luytel stage; Lecherie put him in foul seruage. Seuen blessynges of god.This passage, om. in MS. Thornt., agrees with the pr. tr. in MS. Vern. Aȝein þis seuene vices þus Ordeynt remedie sone Ihesus, And send us seuen vertuwes in hihe In þe holy Ewangelye,Math. 5, 3. And seiþ þus in þis Manere As ȝe schul her aftur here: "Blesset be þe meke of spirit euene, ffor heoren is þe kynedom of heuene"— Þis is aȝein pruide and mood, Þat bi-nymeþ a Mon his god so good. "I-blesset beo þe deboner þen Aȝeynes heore euen-cristen men, ffor þei schul haue in to heore honde Þe lond þat is euer lastonde"— Þis is aȝeyn þe foule Envye, Þat bi-reueþ mon his euencristen trie. "Blesset beo þo þat wepen ofte, ffor þei schul beo cumfortet on lofte"— Þis is aȝeynes wraþþe to delue, Þat bi-nymeþ a Mon him-selue. "Blesset be þe Merciable men, ffor god schal haue Merci of hem"— Aȝeynes gredynes þis mot be, Þat of no mon he haþ pite. "Blesset beo þo þat hungri be þen Aftur Rihtful, disyr forte ken, ffor þei schul be fed in blisse"— Þis is aȝein Slouþe and rechelesnesse. "Blesset mote þe clene of herte be, Þe face of god schul þei se"— Þis is a-ȝeyn glotenye doyng, Þat euer þenkeþ on flesch lykyng. "Blesset be þe pesybles i-tald, Godus children schul þei be cald"— Aȝeynes lecherie þis ordeynt wes, ffor þe lechour naþ neuer pes; He naþ no pes for his beste, He may in herte neuer ha reste. Þeose ben þe vertuwes seuene Aȝeyn þe vices forte nempne.The last part of the Chapter in the Speculum is omitted. Seuen medicines for þe seuen dedly synnes. Afftur þis he wol vs teche, God þat is vr goode leche, Þis seuen medicines, trie to vs, To helen vs of seuen Maledius, And þus he confermeþThe poet or scribe took confermeþ for conformeþ. hemr. men. In toþo seuen vertuwes þen Bi vertue of þe holy gost, Þat is lord of mihtes most. Þeose þei ben to nempne þat þing: Þe holigost of wisdam and of vndurstondyng, And also, wiþ-outen fayle, Þe gost of strengþe and of counsayle, Þe gost of wit and of pite, Þe gost of doute of god mot be. Þorwh þis seuen ȝiftes god ȝaf mon Al þat he haþ neode of þon To his Bodiliche lyf And to his soule wiþ-outen strif. Seo hou mon may in his mode Leue þe vuel and take þe gode: To leue þe vuel þat is forbod Techeþ þe gost of þe doute of god; Þe gode to do, I telle þe, Þat techeþ þe gost of pite. Two þinges þer beo þan Þat letteþ good doinge of man: Þat on is worldly riches, And also gret frouwar[d]nesSp. adversitas mundi, Th. tribulacion, cf. v. 718.; Riches, hit mon deseyueþ, ffrouwardnes from god him weyueþ. Þerfore a mon schal dispise Worldly richesse in alle wyse, Þat he beo not deseyuet beo hit: Þat vs techeþ þe gost of wit. And þou schalt suffre stalworþli Tribulacions and anguyses worldli, Þat þou neuere ouercomen be: Þus techeþ þe gost of strengþe to þe. Þeose foure ben souereynly To bodiliche lyf forþy. Þat oþur longen wiþ-outen strif Alle to þe gostly lyf. ffor þreo maners bi resun Ben of Contemplaciun: On is [in] Creatures bi vre entent: Þat techeþ þe gost of entendement. A-noþur in holi writ also, Þat þou seost what þou schalt do And what þing þou schalt lete: Þat techeþ þe gost of counseil swete. Þe þridde is of him-self, god and Mon: Þat techeþ þe gost of wisdom. Now seo we now hou Ihesu þe lele Is euer aboute vr help and hele. Þe ten comaundemens of god.This passage agrees with MS. Thornton. Afftur þis schaltou witen þen Wȝuche ben þe comaundemens ten. Þe furste, hit is be þin a-cord: Worschipe tor. þou O god, vr lord. Þen þe fend þe may not derue, Ȝif þou him only worschipe and serue. Worschupe him þorw feiþ and mode, And serue him wiþ werkes gode. Þenk ȝif þou haue alle tym Trewely honoured hym, And ouer alle oþur þinges Serue[d] hym and his biddynges; Þenk ȝif þou haue ȝolden him þi beo-hest Þat þou be-hiȝtest hym mest or lest: Þou him be-hiȝtest feiþful trist Whon þou toke þi Baptist; Or ȝif þou haue lasse penaunce don Þen þe was leyd penaunce vppon. Þorwh þis comaundement al-to-gader Mon is ordeynt to god þe ffader. ÞAt oþur bi-heste is forto seyn: Nempne not godus nome in veyn. Þorw þat is defendet lesynge, ffalshede, and forswerynge. Þorw þat is eueri good mon in wone Ordeynt touward god þe Sone, ffor he him-self bereþ witnesse And seiþ "I am soþnesse" expresse. ÞE þridde heste is forte say Þat þou kepe wel þin haly-day. Þat is to sei, vch an heih fest Þat comeþ þe to, mest or lest, Haue þin herte in pes and reste most. Þat ordeyneþ mon to þe holygost.— Þeose þreo hestes techeþ ow and me To beren vs to god þe Trinite, To whos liknesse Mon is mad In soule, þat scholde be trewe and sad. Seuene oþure techeþ men Hou þei schul bere hem to her euen-cristen. ÞE furste is: worschupe þou folly fflesch-fadur and modur and þi gostly. And þat in two Maner of þinges: In boxumnesse and for-berynges, And help hem bi þi pouwer in dede Of alle þinges þat þei haue nede. Þen schalt þou beo of long lyf In eorþe here wiþ-outen stryf. Ȝif þou wolt haue þe lyf longe, Worschupe þi godal. hem or him (the scribe took "him" for god). wiþ wille stronge, ffor her. þat þe brouȝt, wite hit wel, Al þi lyf euerich a del. Þat oþur heste, hit is þon: In no wey þat þou sle no mon. Þenne schaltou wite here, Mon-slauȝt is in þreo manere, In þreo manere hit is ful smerte: Of hond, of tonge, and of herte. Of hond hit is wiþ-outen meþ Whon a Mon wiþ wepene sleþ, Or whon he putteþ him in dedeSp. in loco mortis In prisun or in oþur stede— Þat ilke doing cause may be Of his deþ, as I sei þe. . . . .Some vv. wanting (manslaughter by tongue). Monslauȝt of herte is also here In oþur two vuel manere: Whon Mon coueyteþ oþures deþ in hiȝe, Or for de-faute leteþ him dye And nil not helpen him in þat mester Ne him deliuere, ȝif he ha pouwer. ÞEn is hit þe þridde heste: To do no lecherie, mest ne leste. He þat wol lyue wiþ-outen dyȝing In þe blisse of heuene-kyng, Him weore neod to kepe ful boun His dedlyche lyf from corupcioun, ffrom þat corupciun, sei I, Þat wol come of his bodi. ÞE ffeorþe heste is, witerli: To do no þefþe ne Robberi. He þat wol spare oþurmennes lyf, Bi-nyme him nouht wiþ no strif, Þorwh wȝuche bi-nymynge Þou maiȝt bi-reue his lyuynge. ÞE ffyfþe heste þen is þis: Þow schalt bere no fals witnes Aȝeynes þin euen-cristen þen, Ne also þou schalt not cumforten hem Þat wolden liue in reste and ro (!)Cf. Th.: þou sall noght bere f. w. agaynes thyne euencristyn with hym þat will noye hym or sla hym. Heore neihȝebors harm to do. ffor bi a fals witnesse i-bore A Mon may worldli beo forlore. Ȝif þou no counseil in no res To him þat wolde liuen in pes Wiþ hys euen-cristen to debate; ffor ȝif þou dost, hit torneþ to wrake. ÞE sixte heste wiþ-outen strif: Coueite þou nouȝt þi neiȝebors wyf, Ne non of his seruauns also, Ne nouȝt þat him longeþ to. ÞE seueþe heste is þus, I-wis: Coueyte þou not þi neiȝebors godis. Þis two hestes acordyng ben To þo bifore as ȝe may sen, Þer he seiþ to þe in hiȝe "Do no þefþe, ne lecherie," ffor he þat haþ wikked wille and smert, Wikked entent is in his hert, He may not longe for no þing Holden him from mis-doing. Þerfore I warne þe nou so, Þat þou lecherie ne do; Ȝif þou wolt not stele nou, Oþur mennes good coueite not þou. Þeos ben þe ten hestes to say Þat god ȝaf Moyses in þe Mount of Synay. Þe furste þreo, witeþ hit wel, Ben to godus honour eueridel; And to þi-self longen þe seuene, To louen alle cristene euene. Þe seuen vertues of god. Aftur scha[l]tou wite wȝuche ben Þe seuen vertuwes vppon to sen, Þat is to wite: ffeiþ, hope, and loue, Qweyntise, Rihtfulnes a-boue, Temperaunce, and strengþe mest. Of O Matere ben þeos twor. ten? hest And þe seue vertuwes in presens, Saue þis is þe differens: Þe ten hestes techeþ hour. what þou schalt do, Þe seuen vertuwes techeþ þe materer. manere Cf. Th.: The x comandmenteȝ kennes vs what we sall do, and þe vii vertus kennes vs how we sall doo. also. Þe ffurste þreo þat ben aboue, Is to wite, ffeiþ, Hope, and Loue, Þise þreo, þei ordeyne hou þou schalt Touward god liue þat al walt; And þis oþere her-aftur scuene Teche þe to knowe þe wey to heuene. ȜEMS. Ze wite wel, my leue ffrende, Alle beo we formed to on ende: Þat is to seye, god to knowe, Him to loue and honoure we owe. Bote þreo þinges, ar we wende, Beon nedful to come to vre ende: And þenne is þis þat on To wite whodur we schulle gon; Þat oþur, þat we ben willi To gon in trust ful treweli; And þenne is þe þridde þinge: To haue trust of wel goinge— Gret folye hit were to fo or ffrende To bi-ginne þing he may not ende. A Mon þat wol wel do þer-tille, Meste ha miht, Connyng, and wille, Þat is to say þus ȝow to: Þat he con, Mai, and wol [wel] do. But for we haue not vs ner Of vr-self Miht,r. Wil Wit, ne pouwer, Þerfore haþ god ȝiuen vs tille ffeiþ, alle þise to folfille.Sp.: ideo donavit nobis Deus fidem ad implendum defectum cognitionis, spem ad implendum defectum potestatis, charitatem ad ordinandum voluntatem ad unum & aliud. ffeiþ ordeyneþ vs to god þe sone, To whom is a-propred wisdam in wone; Hope ordeyneþ vs to þe ffadur riht, To whom is a-propred Miht; Loue to þe Holigost doþ vs dresse, To whom is a-propred alle goodnesse. And þerfore of god wiþ-outen lesynge ffeiþ doþ vs to haue knowynge; And þat knowynge ofr. seiþ; cf. Th.: and þat knaweynge vs sayse þat he es wondyrfull[y] fre þat one þis manere and þus largely gyffes of his gudnes. god wiþ mood Ȝiueþ vs frely and largeli of his good: And out of þat godnesser. knowyng is i-crope And comeþ to vs þenne hope; Of þat knowyng, I vndurstod, Þer he seiþ vs þat he is good, Þer-of comeþ feir aboue Þe þridde vertue þat is loue, ffor vch a þing, Resun whi, Schal loue þe goode kuyndeli.The 4 cardinal virtues are treated separately v. 999, p. 247 ff, as in Th. and in the Spec. Þe twolue articles of þe fey.This passage differs from Spec., Th. and V. pr. tr. ÞEn schaltou wite, as I þe sei, Whuche ben þe .xij. Articles of þe fei. ffurst, god is on in him-self for to lende, And þre persones, wiþ-outen ende, And is verrey God and lord Þat alle þing made wiþ his word. Þat oþur article is ful trye: Þat he tok flesch and blod of Maide Marie. Þe þridde Articlebelongs to the 2nd in Spec., Th. and V. pr. tr.: þat he was bore þon Of hire, soþfast god and mon. Þe fferþe Article, we sen hit red: Vndur Pilatus pouwer was he ded, Not for nede, I sei ow tille, But vs to buye of his ffreo wille. Þe ffyfþebelongs to the preceding in Spec. and V. pr. tr.; is om. in Th. is, soþ to telle: Þat his soule wente doun to helle And fet hem out in to his blis, Alle þo þat weren his. Þe Sixte: þat he ros wiþ-outen striue, God and Mon, from deþ to lyue. Þe seueþe is in vre sawes: Aftur þe fulle fourti dawes Of his blisful and hard dyȝing He steih to heuene þer he is kyng; He þat is lord of Séé and Sond Sitteþ þer on his fadur riht hond. In the Spec. &c. these last articles belong to the preced|ing (5th), and the 7 sacra|ments form the 7 last.Þe eihteþe is: he schal present Beon atte day of Iugement, Goode and wikkede schal he deme And alle þing as him wol bi-seeme. Þe Niþe is wiþ-outen bost: Þat in god is þe holygost, And euermore so wol be, Þe þridde personeMS. persones of þe trinite; Of whom, þat is so heiȝ in blis, Al-holichirche halewed hit is. Þe tenþe is of comynger. comonynge of holi men, Þat is to sei fulliche of hem Þat ben lymes of holychirche And no dedly synne nul worche, Han part of alle goode dedes sone Þat in holi chirche ben done. Þe Elleueþe is: þorw þe sacrament Of holichurche wiþ good entent Þe goode schul haue forȝiuenesse Of heore synnes more and lesse. Þe twelfþe is þat Mon and wyue Schullen arise from deþ to lyue. Þe þrettenþe is: þe goode schul haue Euerlastinde lyf þat schal hem saue, And þis oþure þenne schul wende To lastyng pyne wiþ-outen ende. Þe Seuen sacromens of holy churche.In Spec., Th. and V. pr. tr. included in the creed as forming the 7 last articles. The text is abridged. Afftur þis schul ȝe here bi-ginne Þe sacramens seuen þat fordon synne; He hem ordeynde synne to wiþ-stonde And þe gode to take on honde. Þe furste is cald Baptisme, Þat child takeþ er þen his crisme; Þat clanseþ mon of þat synne Þat vr forme-fader brouȝt us inne. Þat oþur sacrament is of renoun And is cald Confirmacioun: ffor whon he is so cristned þon, He confermeþ þe holigost in mon. Þe þridde is penaunce to biginne, Þat freteþ a-wei þe fulþe of synne. Þe feorþe is sacrament of þe Auter, Þat confermeþ mon hol and feer And ȝiueþ him strengþe good wiþ-alle, Þat he eft-sones in synne ne falle; Þat sacrament reconsileþ him ay, Susteyneþ him, þat he ne falle may. Þe ffifþe is ordre, þat ȝiueþ power To Men ordeynet in heore mester Þe sacramens to make and worche, To serue wiþ god and holi churche. Þe Sixte is Matrimoyne to bigynne, Þat defendeþ dedly synne In werkes of generaciun þon Bi-twene mon and wommon. Þe seueþe is þe enoyling Of seke in perel of diȝing, And þat is in Aleggaunce Of Bodi and soules penaunce. Þeos ben þe sacramens þen,MS. teu Þat longeþ to alle cristene Men. Þe seuenr. four, as in Spec. principal vertues. Aftur þis nou wite we schal Wȝuche ben þe iiij. vertuwes principal, Bi wȝuche vche monnes lyf here Is gouernet in þis world so dere: Qweyntise, Rihtfulnes bi chaunce, Strengþe, and also Temperaunce. Of þeos foure spekeþ þe holygost In þe Bok of wisdam most Þat no þing bi good delyt In eorþe to Mon doþ more profyt. ffor hose to do wel vndurstode, He moste knowe vuel from goode, Also, he seoþ here bi lettre, He moste knowe þe gode from þe bettre: Þat vs techeþ in alle wyse Þat þyng þat is called queyntyse. And whon þou hast þus i-chose, Þe wikked from þe goode to loseSpec.: Et quando elegisti bonum de malo aut de duo|busbonis melius, & tune debes relinquere malum & facere bonum, & dimittere minus bonum & facere maius bonum: & haec virtus Iustitia appellatur. Þat techeþ þe vertue to distresse Þat is cleped Rihtfulnesse. Two þinges þer ben in world ful þikke Letteþ mon do good and takeþr. forsake? wikke: Þe riches of þis world is on, Þat alle weyes deseyueþ mon, He disseyueþ mon in mony þinges, þorwh swete restynges; A-noþur is Contek of worldli strifSpec. adversitas, Th. tribulacyon Aȝeynes mon, doun hym to dryf. Aȝeynes richesse mesure þe in tide, Beo þou not risen to muche in pride: Þat vertu is wiþ-outen distaunce Þis þat men calleþ temperaunce. Aȝeynes worldly cuntek and strif Loke brennynge willeSp. audacia animi, Th. hardines beo þe rif, Þat þou beo not so feble boun Þat þe world þe caste a-doun: And þat vertue in brede and lengþe Is þat þat is i-cleped strengþe. Seuen werkes of mercy. Afftur schaltou wite redili Wȝuche ben seuen werkes of Merci. Þe furste is, ȝiue þe hungri mete; Þat oþur, drinke þe þrusti to gete; Þe þridde, cloþe þe naked bi tymes; Þe ffeorþe, to herborwe pilgrymes; Þe ffyfþe, prisons to visyte swete; Þe Sixte is, cumforte þe seke; Þe seueþe, in certeyn placeTob. 1, 20. we rede, Þat is to helpe burie þe dede.— Þen maistou sey in tour and toun: "I þat am in Religioun, I naue no pouwer to ȝiue no mete, Ne drinke ne herborwe to hem gete, Ne cloþing to hem haue I non, To visite prisones may I not gon: I am in oþur monnes pouwer; Þerfore me were beter seculer, Þat I mihte do trewely Alle þeose dedes of Mercy." Þenk not þus, I rede þe, Leste þou her-Inne deseyued be. Betere hit is to þe in eueri toun To haue pite and compassioun In þyn herte in alle weyse Of hem þat þou seost in Meseyse, Þen þou heddest al þe world wiþ þe Hit forth to dele for charite. Ȝif þi-self, as I sei nou, And more þen al þe world ȝiuestou.Some vv. wanting. Spec.: Sed jam posses dicere: verum est quod melius est homini dare seipsum quam de suo; sed multum praevalet dare vnum cum alio quam vnum illorum per se. Dico quod non est ita: Vtrum praevalet vocari Dominus quam eius servus? Scis bene quod praevalet vocari Dominus. Sed illi qui &c. ffor þei þat suffre in alle wyse Chele, hungur, defaute and Miseise, Ihesu seiþ wher-so he go And him-self he clepeþ þo; Þus he seiþ in his gospel— Hose wol hit seche, may fynde hit wel: "What to þe leste of myne don be, Ȝe hit don al to me." Wheþer weor beter or more sen To Iuge or elles Iugged to ben?Spec. adds: Tu scis bene quod praevalet judicare: et hoc faciunt pauperes Þerfore to pore make þe liche, ffor þe pore schul Iugge þe riche; As vr lord seiþ feire and wel In his owne goode gospel:Math. 19, 28. "Ȝe þat alle þynges haue to proue, Leueþ hem for me and for my loue,Math.: Vos qui reliquistis omnia et secuti est is me &c. And at þe grete day of dome, Whon I schal sitten in my trone— ffor þere þo men schul me se In þe Seete of my Maieste— Þeir. ȝe schul sitte on twelf seges wel And Iugge þe twelf kuyndes of Israel." Wheþer weore hit better at þe leste Haue heuene in possession or in bi-heste?Spec. adds: Certum est quod in possessione: sic habent pauperes ffor þus seiþ God, witeþ wel, In his holy Godspel:Math. 5. "Blesset mote þe pore of spirit be, ffor heoren is heuene," as I sei þe. He seiþ not þus in his steuen Heoren "schal beo" þe kyngdam of heuen, But he hem doþ to vndurstonde Þei ben in possessiun and in honde. Seint Bernard in a sarmoun seiþ euen: "Þe pore naþ not in erþe, ne riche in heuen." And ȝif þe riche wol heuene haue, At þe pore he mot hit buye and craue.— Nou is hit good for to sen Wȝuche þat verreylich pore ben, And also þulke oþere iliche Wȝuche þei ben, þat ben cleped riche. Summe ben þat han riches þikke And hem louen wiþ al heor witte: Þo ben þis riche gredi men, And euer coueyten þe world þen. Oþur þer ben in dede and þouȝt Wolde be riche, but þei may nouȝt; ffor and þei hadden worldus good, Þei wolden hit loue as þei were wod: Þulke ben þeose, soþ to telle, Þe caytyf beggers þat nouȝwher wol dwelle, But euer þei reyken aboute to craue, Al þat þei seon þei wolde hit haue; Also wiþ hem sette we moun Þis fals folk of Religioun. Þeos ben as riche in vnquerte As þeos oþure and as proude of herte; Crist spekeþ of hem in þe gospelleMath. 19, 24. And þus þe wordus doþ he telle: "A Chamayle mihte beter pase Þorwh anelde yȝe þenne in case, Þen miht such a riche mon In heuene come to þat kyndom." Summen þat richesse is to brouht, Han hit, but þei louen hit nouht, But neuerþeles, þe soþ to saue, ffayn þei ben riches to haue: Þos ben þese, to seye ow here, Þe goode men of þe world so dere, Þat al heore richesse wol dispende ffor loue of god þat hit sende. Bote þe more harm is forþi, Suche ben fewe, witerli! Oþur þer ben, soþ hit is, Þat haue not of þis worldus blis Ne no þing þerof doþ craue Ne nolde not, þauh þeiȝ mihte, hit haue: Þis ben holy religious þerfore And oþure, þat mai wel beo cald pore;MS. þore Heoren is þe Ioye euerlastonde Wiþ god and wiþ godus sonde. Þen may we here-of nou say: "Blesset beo þe pore in spirit ay, ffor heoren is þe kyndom Þer as dwelleþ God and Mon." Þenne drede we on þat oþur syde Leste þe wariing hem bi-tyde, To þis ilke riche men, Leste þei schulle in helle bren. Pore þei ben in heor herte Þat ben pore and louen pouerte, And þei ben pore in querte Þat han riches and louen pouerte. [XXXIII.] þe visions of seynt poul wan he was rapt in to paradys.Ed. before in Engl. Stud. I. p. 295-9. This piece seems intended to supply the place of the last article (Ioyes of heuen & Peynes of helle) of the preceding treatise, cf. p. 235, v. 531-2; it has no special initial or title. Lustneþ, lordynges, leof and dere, Ȝe þat wolen of þe sonday here! Þe sonday a day hit is Þat angeles and archaungeles Ioyen, I-wis, More in þat ilke day Þen eny oþur, as l þe say. Þen wol we her ate dwelle Ho preyed furst rest for soules in helle. Þat is to witen, I sei þe so, Poul and Michel Archaungel bo. ffor god of his grete miht Þe peynes of helle put in heore siht. Poul sayh bi-foren helle ȝates Brennynge tres þat neuer slakes; Mony on for heore synne þonne Weore I-pyned and honged þer-onne: Summe bi hondes and bi feet þere, Summe bi þe her, summe bi þe ere, Summe bi þe Armes þat weore longe, And summe þer hengen bi þe tonge. He sauȝ a caudren brennynge at enes Of diuerse colours wiþ seue lemes, And þer weore þei for heore synne Diuersliche I-pynet þer-Inne; And seuen peynes weoren þer also Þat duden þe soules muche wo: Þe furste of snouȝ, þe secunde of ys, Þe þridde fuir in alle wys, Þe ffeorþe blod, as I þe say, Þe ffyfþe Eddres of foul aray, Þe sixte leyt, as mon may þink, Þe seueþe peyne hit was of stynk. At þat penaunces were þei in cast, Synful soules, and al for-þrast, Þe wȝuche þat nolden in no chaunce ffor heore synnes do no penaunce; Þer weore þei turmented in þo ledes, And vche reseyued aftur his deedes. Summe wepten and ȝelled þenne, Summe gouleden, and summe dude brenne; Þei disireden euere to dye— Hit miht not beo, wiþ-outen lyȝe, ffor þe soule, wher-so hit go, Schal neuer dyen, for weole nor wo. Þerfore sore hit is to drede Þe places of helle for wikkedhede! In þe wȝuche þer is a whel brennynge, Wiþ muche serwe euer-lastynge; Vndur þat wheol is þer þore A þousund grisly peynes sore, ffyue tyme vche day, to telle, Beo turmented wiþ þe Angel of helle, In vche of þo fyue tymes Ben a þousund soules turmented in pynes. Aftur þat sayh he, þer he stod, A wondur orible grisly flod, And in þat flod say he þere Mony deueles bestes were: As ffissches þei were in þat flod þo, Todus, Neddres, Snakes, mony mo, And þe synful soules in hiȝ Eten and gnowen wiþ-outen merci— Of hem tok Ir. þei no more kep But as a Lyun doþ of a schep. Ouer þat watur he sayȝ ligge A wondur long and an heiȝ brugge, And ouer þat brugge saf goon þen Þe soules of good rihtful men Wiþ-outen harm of word or dede, And also wiþ-outen eny drede. Þe soules of synne[r]s, as I þe telle, ffallen doun þer, in pyne to dwelle, Þer to take and resseyue so As þei on eorþe deserueden to. Be war of þis, I sei, beo-fore, As God seide in þe gospel þore: Ligate per fasciculos ad comburendum: Byndeþ hem in knucchenus forþi, To brenne, lyk to licchi, Spous-brekers wiþ lechours, Rauisschers wiþ rauisschours, Wikked wiþ wikked also, ffor so schul þei to-gedere go. ffor eueri creature go schal Bi þat brugge sum or al, And lasse or more schal he be deruet, Er aftur he haþ heer deseruet. ÞEr sauh þe goode mon poule In þat pyne moni diuerse soule: Summe to þe kne, and summe to þe hipes, Summe to þe nauel, summe to þe lippes, And summe he sauȝ bi-suyled as souwes In þat pyne vp to þe brouwes; And þei weore turmented euerlastyngly, Þei wept and gouled and weore sory. And Poules herte was so sor Þat for serwe he wepte þor. And of þat Angel asked he Whi summe were þer in to þe kne. Þe Angel seide to him þen: "Heo ben Bacbyters of men, Þat in word and dede, as I þe say, Hyndren heor euencristen þat þei may. And þo þat to þe nauel þou se, Spousbrekers and lechours þei be, Þat aftur heore dedes, to vndurstonde, Nolde no penaunce take on honde. And þo þat weren up to þe lippes blake, Stryf and Iangelyng in chirche dude make, Vche to oþur Iangled wiþ scorn— To heere godus wordus þei han forborn. And þo þat weren vp to þe briȝes In þat flod aboue þe eiȝes, Þulke weore glade of þe mischeef Of heore neihȝebors and of heore greef." And Poul wepte and seide þo: "Muche wo is hem I-come to Þat so mony peynes grymme Ben ordeynt to for heore synne!" Seynt Poul þo bi-tornd his face And sayȝ anoþur derk place, Moni Men and wymmen þer amongus Þat for-freten heore owne tonges. And Poul asked of him þere What-maner men þat þei were. Þe Aungel seide to him ful sleih: "Þei vsuden Ocur and vsuri; Merciable weore þei nouht, Þerfore hit schal be dere abouht." And Poul sauȝ þenne a-noþur plas, Þat moni peynes þer-in was; Þer he sauh dispitous þing: As Blake Maydens in Blac cloþing, And þei sodun euerichon In wellyng pich and Brumston; Brennyng dragouns and serpentes ifere Hongynge aboute heor nekkes were, Gnawyng hem, to don hem schom, To-tere þe fflesch from þe bon. And þer weore foure Angeles to telle Þat weoren of þe hous of helle, Brennynge hornes hedde þei on hed; Þei hem turmented and dude hem qued, ffaste þei wente þis pepul a-boute Wiþ moni turmentes grete and stoute, Seying to hem, as was heore wone: "Knoweþ ȝe," þei seide, "godus sone, Þe wȝuche þat muche on ȝou þouȝt, Al þe world whon he bouȝt? ffor ȝe nolde neuer knowen him Ȝe schullen han here þeos pynes grym." Poul þis asked feire and wel. And þenne onswered þe Aungel: "Þeos serued not chastite Til tyme of heor weddynge schulde be, But lyuede in heore lecherie, And heled heore children and dude hem dye And ȝaf hem to swyn or to houndes Or drouned hem In flodes groundes, And schewed hem to þe worldus degre As þei maydens hedden i-be; And in þis lyf þei lyueden ȝore And duden no penaunce þerfore." Aftur þis he sayȝ at ene Men and wymmen moni and lene, Lene þei weore, wiþ-outen flesche; Þei soffred harde and noþing nessche: Muche lay bi-foren hem of Mete Þat hem deynet not of to ete. Þo weore þeose þat weore not trewe And nolde not faste þat hem was duwe, And hedden of mony metes dedeyn, But hit weore likerous, be certeyn. ÞEn sauȝ poul a serwȝful siht— And he loked þer forþ riht: An Old mon sat þer wepynge Bi-twene four deueles foul ȝellynge. Poul asked what he was. And þe Angel seide in plas: "He was Neclygent aȝeynes forbod And kepte not þe lawes of God, He nas not chast of bodi i-souȝt Ne of herte ne of his þouȝt, But euer he was Couetous, Proud of herte and contrarius; Þerof nolde he him not schriue Ne do no penaunce bi his lyue, Þerfore he schal beo pyned ay Wiþ-outen Noumbre til domus-day." POul wepte and bigon to goule. Þe Angel seide: "whi wepustou, poule? Ȝit sayȝ þou not, as I þe telle, Þe strengest peyne þat is in helle." Þe Angel him schewed wiþ-outen weoles A put a-scled wiþ seuen seles. He bad him stonde bac, for þat þing, Þat he mihte sustene þat stynk. He opened þe Mouþ of þat put: Hit stonk foule wȝon hit was vnschut; Þe stynk þat com out of þat plas Passed al þe peynes and stinkes þer was. Þen seide þat Angel, to biginne: "Hose comeþ þis put wiþ-Inne, Bi-fore God and vre ladi Schal neuer of him beo no merci." POul askede: "wȝuche ben þo Þat schulen to þis peyne go?" He seide: "hose leeueþ not in wone Þat Iesu crist, Godus sone, Tok fflesch and blod of þe virgine Marie And seþþe was boren of hire bodye; And also þulke, I telle hit þe, Þat neuer wollen Baptiȝed be, Þulke þat resseyue not worþily Þe flesch and blod of godus bodi." POul loked forþur þen And sauȝ ful mony men and wymmen; Wormes and serpentes on hem seeten, Euer as houndes þei on hem freeten. So mony soules þer weore in hold, Vchon on oþur, as schep in fold. Hit was also dep to nemene As from þe eorþe vp to heuene. Of heore serwyng was muche wondur, Þei made a noyse as hit weore þundur. And þenne poul loked touward heuene, And out of eorþe he herde a steuene; A synful soule he sauȝ comynge Among seue deueles waymentynge; Þe wȝuche þat same day forþi Was itaken from þe bodi. Þe Angeles of God, þat ben vr frendes, Criȝeden faste to þe ffendes, Seyȝinge allas, makynge heore mon: "What haþ þat wrecched soule i-don?" Þe ffendes seiden: "verreyment, He haþ seȝen his Iuggement; He haþ ben muche mys-auyset, Godus Comaundemens he haþ dispyset, In eorþe he lyued in foly And þer dude he no remedi. His owne cha[r]tre haþ he rad Þat his synnes were Inne I-sprad, And so forþ, we telle þe, His owne self þen Iugged he." Þen tok þe deueles and him bounde, And caste hym in to þe derkeste grounde, Þer as was wepyng wiþ muche vnseeþe, Goulyng and grisbatyng of teþe. ÞEn seide to poul þat Aungel: "Leeue þou hit and knowe hit wel: So as Mon doþ in his lyuing So schal he haue aftur his endyng." Aftur þat þis was forþ so sent, In-wiþ þe space of a moment, Aungeles of heuene saiȝ he come þon, Brouhten þe soule of a Rihtful mon. Þer was Ioye wiþ loud steuene, ffor so þei beeren hit in to heuene; Of a þousund Angeles he herde þe vois, Ioynge wiþ a semely noys, And seiden: "murie soule, blesset þou be, ffor euer murþe schal beo wiþ þe! Þou art i-blesset of God in trone: Þe wille of Ihesu hastou done." ÞEn seide þe Angeles in heore seiȝing: "Ledeþ hym vp to-foren vr kyng! Glad may he ben of alle clerkes Þat schal him-self rede his goode werkes." Aftur þat Mihel lede him in hiȝ To paradys to oþur holi. A Ioyful noyse was hem among Of Angeles and Archangeles wiþ song. ÞEi þat in peyne bi-neþen lyȝe, Herden þis and al hit seiȝe; Þei ȝelleden wiþ lodly cry: "Poul, Michael, on vs ha merci! Prei for vs wiþ good a-cord To vre god and to vre lord!" ÞEn seide þe Angel to hem þo: "Weputh! poul and I wolen also, Þat Almihti God, þat may best, Send ȝow sum refuit and sum rest." And þeose þat in peyne weore Cried on God wiþ delful beere; Michael and poul also, And a Legioun of Aungelus mo. Þe soun of hem was herd ful euene Vp in to þe ffeorþe heuene, Seiȝinge "haue merci on hem, Þe Sone of God and eke of mon." And þenne þei þe heuene seih Open a-non ful sodeynly, Þe Sone of god com doun þo And herde hem preye, mony on mo, Þei preieden alle ful tenderli "Haue merci on vs, sone of Daui!" ÞE vois þenne of vre heuene kyng Ouer al þe peynes was herd seying: "What good ha ȝe don herbifore Þat ȝe aske reste so sore? I was don on cros for ȝou wiþ dere And smiten wiþ a ful scharp spere, I-nayled also wiþ nayles þree, Eysel and Galle to drynke bode me; I ȝaf my-self for ȝou to be, ffor ȝe schulde ouer come wiþ me. Bote ȝe weore þeues, coueytous, Proude and wroþe and envyous, Good neuer nolde ȝe do non Ne to schrift nolde ȝe not gon, Ne do penaunce for no þing Wiþ Almusdedes ne wiþ fastyng, But ȝe weore lyȝers al ȝor lyf And liueden euere in serwe and strif." ÞEn kneled Poul and Mihel And a Milioun Angeles wel Bi-fore þe sone of God, to pray Þei moste ha reste þe sonenday. Þo weore þeos, as I ow telle Þat weoren in þe pynen of helle. ÞEn seide vr lord to hem in spelle: "ffor Poul and also Michaelle And myn oþure Angeles on hiȝe, Þat ben in heuene so goode and triȝe, And also of my grete goodnesse, Hem to ese of heore distresse, Þis rest I ȝiue ȝow ful soon ffrom þe seter-day at Non Til þe secunde hour beo cum On þe Monenday, al and sum." Anon þe soules hedden þer rest— He ȝaf hit hem þat mihte best. Þe soules criȝed euerichon: "Blesset beo þou, lord, sone of mon, Lord and God of Dauid kuynde! Þis rest bi þe haue we in Muynde."— Þerfore, whos halweþ wel þe sonenday, He schal ha part of þe reste ay Þat þe Angeles in heuene Han þere wiþ mylde steuene. Beo war of þe serwe and drede And of þe peynes þat we her rede, And torne we in alle wyse Vr lord to serue, þat hiȝe Iustise; Bi wȝuche seruyse we may come To vre lord god and wiþ him wone. XXXIV. þe Pope trental.Ed. before in Engl. Stud. VIII, p. 275. The poem occurs again in the same MS. Vern. fol. CCCIII (V2); other MSS. are Cott. Cal. A II (15th cent.), ed. by Furnivall, Pol., Rel. and Love Poems, London 1866, and MS. Lamb. 306; from these MSS. A. Kauf|mann has tried to give a critical text, based chiefly on MS. Cott., and retaining its spell|ing (Erlanger Beiträge 3, 1889). A different version is extant in MS. Edinb. Adv. Libr. 19, 3, 1, ed. by Turnbull, The Visions of Tundale, Edinb. 1843, and MS. Cambr. Univ. Libr. KK 1, 6, ed. by Kaufmann 1. c., which MSS. again differ greatly. I-writen I fynde a good stori,Title in V2: here bygunnet þe guldene trental þat ouȝte be loued swyþe wel. Þe Pope hit wrot seint Gregori,The name here, and v. 31, is a later introduction to the poem (cf. MS. Cott.). (Gregory is said to have instituted the Trental.) Of his Modur and of hire lyf, Þat alle men heolden an holi hosewyf, So sadV2 good of Maner, so mylde of Mood, Þat alle men heolden hire holi and good; De-boner, deuout, so milde of steuene, Þat alle men gessetV2 gessed 8 hire worþi to heuene. As holi I-holden as heo was, Þe fend ȝit falled hire in a foul cas, He truyledV2 gylede hire wiþ his tricherye And ladde hire in to lecherye, Þat lust wiþ loue hire so be-gylede, So foule, til heo was wiþ childe. So priueliche noþeles heo hire bar Þat þer-of nas no wiht I-war. And for no wiht schulde wite hire cas, Anon as hire child I-boren was, Þe Nekke heo nom, þe child heo woriede, And a-non þe child heo buriede. Þus was heo cumbred in careful cas, Ne schewed neuer schrift þerof, allas! ffor heo wolde holy I-holde be, Heo tolde neuer prest hire priuite; AlV2 Alle folk fayn was of hire fame, So holy as heo was holden of name. Eft-sones hir fel þe same cas Riht as bi-foren bi-tyd hire was. ffor heo was comen of prys parage, Of riche kun,V2 kin of gentil lynage, Hire sone was seynt Gregori þe pope, Men heolden hire holy wiþ al heore hope,vv. 31-2 om. in Cott. Þerfore heo schonede hir schrift to schowe, Leste by schrift hire cas weorV2 were knowe. vv. 35-8 later addition.So schome makeþ men schone heor schrift And leoseMS. leoseþ þe grace of godus ȝift, And siþen to liuen so sunfulliV2 sinfulli And sorily dyen and sodeynli. Þis wommones dedes ner not aspyet,V2 neore . aspyed And softly sone þer-aftur heo dyed. Whon heo was seyenV2 seȝen so softly dye, Men hopede heo weore in heuene ful hiȝe,V2 hie Men heolden hir holy and so deuoute Þat of hire deþ men hedden no doute, But wenden witerly alle to-wisse Þat heo weore set in souereyn blisse. ÞEr-aftur wiþ-Inne a luytel tyme Vp-on a day sone aftur prime Hire sone þe pope at Masse stood, And of his Modur trouwed bote good. Al sodeynliche a-Midde his messe Þer drouh touward him such a derknesse Þat lakkede al þe dayes lyht And was derkV2 as derk as is at m. as hit weore midniht; And in þat derknesse a myst among, Al stoneyd he was, such stunch þer stong; Þer-of so grislich he was a-gast Þat al swounyng he was al-mast. Beo-syde he loked vndur his leor: A-Midde þe derknesse þer drouȝ on ner A wonder grisliV2 grislich creature, Riht aftur a fend ferde hire feture; So Ragget,V2 Ragged so Rent, so elyng, so vuel,euel As hidous to bi-holden as helle-deuel; Mouþ and Neose, Eres and Eȝes fflaumed al ful of furi liȝes.V2 leiȝes HE asked hit heiȝlich: "þorwh his miht Þat alle deueles schal dreden and diht, And eke bi vertu of his blood Þat for Monkynde diȝed on Rod, Sey me a-nonV2 sikerly þe soþe soone: What hastou in þis place to done? What is þi cause, þou cursede wrecche, Þus me at Masse to derue and drecche?" ÞE gost onswerde wiþ dreri cher: "I am þi Moodur þat þe beer, Þat for vn-schriuene dedes derne In bitter peynes þus i berne." ÞEn onswerd þe pope: "allas, Allas, my Modur, þis wondur cas! Allas, my Modur, hou may þis be, In such aray I þe to seo? Men wenden witerli to-wisse Þou weore wel worþi to habbe blisse And þat ful wel wiþ God þou were, To preyen for us þat liuen ȝit here. Sey me, modur, wiþ-outen feyne, Whi art þouV2 artou put to al þis peyne?" Heo seide: "my sone, soþfastly I schal þe telle þe cause why: ffor I nas not such as I seemed, But wikked and worse þen men me demed, I sungedeV2 sunged wikkedliche in my lyue, Of wȝuch I ne dorste for schome me schriue;" Heo tolde him trewely al hire cas ffrom ende to oþur riht as hit was. "Sei me, Modur, for Marie flour, Ȝif ouȝt may beo þi socour,V2 þi safs. Wher penaunce of fasting mai ouȝt alegge, Beodes or Masses þi peynes abregge, Or eny-maner oþur þyng Þat þe mai helpe of eny lissyng?" "MI deore Blessede sone," seide heo, "fful wel I-holpen I mihte beo, Holpen and saued I mihte beo wel Hose vndurtoke a trewe trentel Of ten cheef festes of al þe ȝer To synge for me in þis Maneer: Þreo Masses of Cristes Natiuite, And of þe Ephiphan oþur þre, Þreo of þe Purificaciun, And þreo of þe Annunciaciun, Þreo of þe Resurrexiun, And þreo of þe Ascenciun, Of þe Pentecost oþur þre, And þreo of þe holy Trinite, Þreo of Maries Natiuite, And of hire Concepcioun oþur þre"— Þeose weorenal. ben þe cheef festes ten Þat souereynliche socourdeal. socour(en) synful men. "What godmon syngeþ þeos masses, saunfayle, To synful souleV2 soules þei schullen auayle, Wiþ þe ȝeer wiþ-outen treyne Diliueren a soule ful out of peyne. Let sei þeos Masses bi ȝoure hestes Wiþ-Inne þe vtaues of þe ffestes! And he þat schal þeos Masses do, Let sei þer-wiþ þe Orisun þer-to, vv. 129-146 a later paraphrase of the two vv. in MS. Cott.Treoweliche wiþ-outen were Eueri day þorwh-out þe ȝere, Heet him seiV2 seyen hit eueri day, Oþur he þat doþ þe Masses to say." Hose wol knowe þis orisun clene, Hit is on Englisch þus muche to mene: "God, vr verrey Redempciun,Oracio Vr soþfast soules sauaciun, Þat chose alV2 alle oþur londes bi-forn Þe lond of bi-heste In to beo born, And þi deþ suffredest in þat same,V2 þe s. Diliuere þis soule from gult and blame, Tak hit out of þe fendes bond, And þat lond from þe heþene hond, And peple þat leueþ not in þe Þorwh þi vertu amendet mote be; And alleV2 al þat trusteþ In þi Merci, Lord, saue hem sone and soþfastli!" "A Modur," he seide, "þat wol I do, ffor I am mon most I-holdeV2 holden (I- om.) þer-to— Þou weore my Modur, I was þi sone— To synge þe Masses I schal not schoneMS. schome; God graunte me, Modur, þe stonde in stedeV2 stude Aȝeynes þe synnes þat euer þou dude.V2 Aȝeyn . sunnes . dede I halse þe heiȝliche, Modur deere, Þis tyme twelf-MoneþV2 a tw. m. to me a-peere, Hol þin a-stat to me þou schowe, Þat, hou þou fare, I mouwe wel knowe!" "Mi sone," heo seide, "I wole, in ffey," And wiþ þat word heo wente hir wey. So day fromV2 fro day þe ȝer con passe, Þe pope for-lette neuer his Masse Þe same dayes þat weorenV2 were asignet, To helpen his Modur þat was so pynet,V2 pyned And tok þe Orisun al-gate þer-to Als, as his Modur preiȝede him do. ÞAt tyde twelf-Moneþ at Masse he stod Holyliche wiþ deuociun good: And in þat same tyde apliht He sayȝ a swiþe selli siht, A comeliV2 comly ladi, so dresset and diht Þat al þe world of hire schon briht, Comeli CorounedV2 crouned as a Qweene, Tweyn Angeles ladden hire hem bi-twene. He was so Rauischt of þat siht, Al-most for Ioye he swounede riht. He fel doun flat bi-foren hire feet, Þe teres of his eȝen he doun leet,V2 Deuoutli teres wiþ leores he leet He gretteV2 gret hire wiþ wel mylde steuene And seyde: "ladi, Qween of heuene, Moodur of Ihesu, Mylde Marie, ffor my moodur Merci I crie." "[D]O wey," heo seide, "I nam not heo Ne whom þou wenestV2 þe wenest þat I beo, Bote, soþlyche, as þou seost me her, I am þer. þi; V2 þi Moodur þat þe beer. Bi-foren i ferde, þou wustest wel, ffarynge as a fend of hel,V2 helle I am nou such as þou sest her, Þorwh help and vertu of þi preyer, ffrom derknesse i-dressetV2 om. i- to blisse cleer. Þe tyme beo blesset þat I þe beer! And for þe kuyndenesse of þi deede Souereyn Ioye schal beo þy Meede. And alle þat leteþ þeos Masses þus do, Schul saue hem-self and soules also. Þerfore, Sone, þis storie þou preche! Mi dere sone, god I þe be-teche." Whon heo hedde endet þis wordes euene, Angeles token hire homV2 euene to heuene. Þe same hom toV2 om. to god vs sende, To wone wiþ him wiþ-outen ende. Amen.Then follows in MS. Vernon, William of Nassington's Mirrour of Life (translation of John de Waldeby's Speculum Vitæ), fol. CCXXXI—CCLXIIII b, extant also in a MS. of Lord Ashburnham (best MS.), MS. Reg. 17 CVIII (written 1418), Hatton 19; then Rich. Rolle's Pricke of Conscience, fol. CCLXIIII b—CCLXXXIII b; then Þe Spore of Loue. Trentale sancti gregorij.

MS. Cott. Cal. A II, fol. 86 (ed. in Furnivall's Polit., Relig. and Love Poems, E. E. T. S. 1866).

 A nobull story wryte y fynde, A pope hit wrote to haue yn mynde, Of his modur & of her lyf That holden was an holy wyfe, Of myrthes sadde & mylde of mode, Þat all men held her holy & gode; Bothe deuowte & mylde of steuen), Þat all men helde her wordy heuen. So holy as she was holde of name, All men were gladde of her fame. But as holy as she holden was, Þe deuell browȝth her yn a foule cas, He trifeled her so with his trecherye And ledde her yn lust of lecherye, ffor with lust of lecherye he her begylde Tyll she hadde conceyued a chylde. And also priuely she hit bare That þer-of was no man ware. And for no mon) shuld wyte of þat case, Anone as þe chylde born was, The chylde she slowȝ & wyryede And pryuely she hit byryede. Þer was she combred yn a carefull case, And vnshryuen þer-of she was; She ne tolde no preste her priuyte ffor she wolde holy holden be. Efte-sones she fell in þe same case Ryȝth as beforn her be-tydde was. ffor she was comen of hyȝ parage, Of gentyll kynne & worþy lynage, Þerfor she wolde not her synne shewe Nor yn schryfte hit be-knowe, And so her dedes wer not a-spyed. But afturwarde sodenly she dyed. When she was seyn so sodenly dye, Men hoped she was yn heuen hye; They helde her so holy & deuowte Þat of her deth þey made no dowte, But sykurly men wende y-wys Þat she was worþy heuen blys. Then aftur with-Inne a shorte tyme, Vpon a day soone aftyr pryme, The pope as he at his masse stode, Vpon his modur he hadde þowȝt goode, Prayng to god with conciens clere The soþe to knowe as hit were. And sodenly yn myddes his masse Þer þrowȝ to hym such a derkenesse Þat heom. he lakkede ner þe dayes lyȝt, ffor hit was derke as mydnyȝt; In þat derkenes was myste among, All a-stonyed he stode so hit stongke. Be-syde he loked vnþur hys lere: In þat derknes a þyng þrew hym nere, A wonþurfull grysely creature, Aftur a fend fyred with all her feture, All ragged & rente, boþe clenge & euell, As orrybull to be-holde as any deuell; Mowthe, face, eres & yes Brennede all full of brennyng lyes. He was so agast of þat grysyly goste That yn a swonyng he was almoste. He halsed hit: "þorow goddes myȝte That þe fende he putte to flyȝte, And be þe vertu of hys blode That for mankynde dyed on Rode, Sey me sykerly þe soþe soone What þou hast yn þis place to done; What ys þy cause, þou cursed wreche, Thus at masse me for to drecche?" Þe gost answered with drury chere: "I am þy modur þat þe beere, Þat for vnschryuen dedes so derne In byttyr paynes þus y brenner. berne." Then sayde þe pope: "alas, alas! Modur, þis ys to me a wondur case. A, leef modur, how may þis be In suche paynes þe for to se? ffor all men wende y-wys That þou hadde ben wordy heuen blys, And full goodL well with god þat þou were, To praye for vs þat ben here. Sey me, modyr, with-outen fayne, Why art þou put to all þis payne?" She sayde: "sone, sykerly, I shall þe telle þe cause why: ffor y was not such as y semed, But myche worse þen men wened; I lyuede in lustes wykkydly in my lyfe, Of þe whyche y wolde me not shryfe;" And tolde hym trewly all þe case ffro þe bygynnyng how þat hit wase. The pope lette teres a-down Renne, And to his modyr he sayde þen: "Tell me now, modur, for loue of mary flour, If any þyng may þe help or sokour, Bedes or masse, þy penaunce to bye, Or ony fastyng, þy sorowe to aleye; What crafte or caste or any oþur þyng The may help or be þy Releuyng?" "My blessed sone," sayde she, "ffull well y hope þat hit may be; Syker & saf myȝth y be well Who-so trewly wolde take a trentell Of ten chef festes of þe ȝere, To syng for me yn þis manere: Thre masses of crystys natyuyte, And of þe xij day oþur þre, Thre of our ladyes puryfycacion, And oþur þre of her Annunciacion, Thre of crystes gloryous Resurreccion, And oþur þre of his hyȝ Ascencion, And of pentecoste oþur þre, And þre of þe blessed trinite, And of our ladyes Assumpcion oþur þre, And of her Ioyfull natiuite þre; These ben þe chefe festes ten That sokour þe sowles þat ben fro heuen. Who-so sayth þese masses, with-out fayle, ffor synfull sowles þey shall a-vayle; All a ȝere, with-outen trayne, They delyuere a sowle out of payne. Lette say þese masses be ȝour hestes With-Inne þe vtas of þe festes! And he þat shall þese masses do, Sey he þer-with þis oryson also: Deus qui es nostra Redempcio, With all þe oþur þat longen þer-to." The pope was gladde her-of in fay, And to his modur þen gon he say: "Modyr," he sayde, "þis shall be do, ffor y am moste bounde þerto— Thou were my modur, I was þy sone— Thys same ȝere hit shall be done; God graunte me grace to stonde in stede Aȝeyns all þe synnus þat euur þou dede. I commaunde hooly, my moder dere, Þat þis tyme twelfmoneþ þou to me apere, And hooly to me þy state þou telle, That how þou fare y may wyte well." "My sone," she sayde, "y woll yn fay," And with þat worde she wente her way. Day by day þe ȝer gon passe, The pope for-ȝate neuur his masse The same dayes þat were a-syned, To helpe his modur þat was pyned, And toke þe orysons all-way þer-to Ryȝth as she bad hym for to do. xij moneþ aftur as he at masse stode With gret deuocion & holynesse gode, At þat same tyme full Ryght He sawe a full swete syght: A comely lady dressed & dyght, That all þe worlde was not so bryȝt, Comely crowned as a qwene, Twenty Angellys her ladde be-twene. He was so Raueshed of þat syght That nyȝ for Ioye he swoned Ryght. He fell down flatte by-fore her fete, Þatom. þat deuowtly teres wepynge he lete, And grette her with a mylde steuen And sayde þere: "lady, qwene of heuen, Modyr of Ihesu, mayde marye, ffor my modyr mercy I crye." At þat worde with mylde chere She hym answered on þis manere: "Blessed sone, I am not she Who wenestr. Whom þ. w. þou þat I be, But certes as þou seest me here I am þy modyr þat þe bere, That her-by-fore, þou wyste well, I was wordy payne yn hell, And now y am such as þou seest her, Þorow help of þe vertu of þy prayer, ffro derknesse I dresse to blysse clere; Þe tyme be blessed þat y þe bere! And for þe kyndenesse of þy good dede Heuen-blysse shall be þy mede. And all þo þat leten þese masses be do, Shall saue hem-self & oþur mo; Þus may þey helpe her frendes all That Reche-lesly yn synne falle. Therfore, sone, þis story þou preche! And almyȝty god y þe be-teche." At þe endyng of her wordes euen An Angell her ber yn to heuen. In to þat place god vs sende, To dwelle with her with-outen ende. Thys ys þe vertu, y þe telle, Of seynt gregory trentelle. But who so wyll do hit trewely, He moste do more, sykurly: Þe preste þat þe masse shall synge, At eche feste þat he doþ hit mynge He moste say with good deuocion Ouer Euen þe commendacyon, Placebo & dyryge also, The sowle to brynge out of woo; And also þe salmus seuene, ffor to brynge þe sowle to heuen— Among oþur prayeres þey ben good To brynge sowles fro helle f[l]ode, ffor euery psalme qwencheth a synne, As ofte as a man þoth hem mynne. Loke with good deuocyon þou hem say! And to all halewes þat þou pray, To helpe þe with all her myȝte The sowle to brynge to heuen bryght, Ther euur ys day and neuur nyght— Cryst graunt vs parte of þat lyght! Loke þese ben sayde all in-fere Euery day yn þe ȝere; Neuer a day þat þou for-ȝete, These to say þou ne lette! Also in þe vtas of euery feste Also longe as hit doth leste— viijte dayus men callen þe vtas— Þe preste moste say in his masse— A nobull orysoun hit ys holde— Þe colette þat fyrst y of tolde. And aftur þe fyrste orysoun Þer ys an-oþur of gret Renoun Þat to þe sowle ys wonþur swete, Menne calle hit þe secrete. When þe preste hath don his masse, Vsed, & his hondes wasche, A-noþur oryson he moste say, Þat yn þe boke fynde he may, Þe "post comen" men don hit calle, That helpeth sowles out of þralle. And þat þis be don at eche a feste As þe trentallcorr. fr. trentell speketh moste & leste; Then may þou be sykur & certayne To brynge þe sowle out of payne To endeles Ioye þat lasteth aye, Þat god dyed fore on good fryday. To þat Ioye he vs brynge Þat ys in heuen with-oute endynge! Pray we all hit may so be, And say Amen for charyte.Explicit. [XXXV. þe Spore of Loue.So the title in v. 21, 1081; in the heading the title is Þe Prikke of loue. A local reference, v. 163 ff., seems to imply that the poem was written in Leicester. The translation is very free, with frequent additions, omissions, and contractions.] (A free translation of St. Edmund's Speculum.) Her beginneþ þe Prikke of loue, Þat profitable is to soule be-houe. God þat art of miȝtes most, ffader and Sone and holigost, Þow graunte hem alle þi blessyng Þat herken wel to þis talkyng. ffor, lewed and lered, more and lesse, Hit wol ow teche holynesse; To loue God wiþ fyn chere Hit wol ou teche, my leoue and dere. ffor mony a tyme ȝe cone me preye Þer-of a lesson ow to seye; Ȝoure dulnesse sum what to scharpe Ȝe han me preyed for to carpe. ffor bisynes of worldli þing To monye hit is a gret lettyng, And eke ȝor owne frelete, Þat makeþ ow ȝeore heui to be Of or-self and ȝoure liuinge, Þorw þe ffendes entysynge. Þerfore þis bok to ow I make Ȝoure discumfort for to slake, Þat is cald "þe spore of loue," Þat stureþ or loue to god aboue. Riht as þe spore makeþ hors to renne, So schal þis bok sone godMS. good ou kenne, Þat is souereyn holynesse. Ȝe schul fynde heer-in swetnesse: Loke ȝe take herto good hede! ffor I schal telle ȝou, as I rede. Þis may be ȝor halyday werk, Hit wol a-vayle boþe lewed and clerk. Of Meditacion of þi-self knowyng.The poem begins with Chap. 3 of the Spec. Takeþ good hede, of alle þinge Þis tweyne to loue, good þei wil þe bringe: Þe ffurste Is Meditacion, Þe toþer is Contemplacion; Þenk of þi-self þat is to say, And on God, eueriche day. Þou maiȝt not loue God riȝt wel But ȝif þou knowe him furst sumdel, Ne þi-self neuer þe more. Þat God is best wite wel þerfore; And wene not þi-self be best, Al þi while þen hast þou lost. Þi-self loke þat þou knowe, ffor þat schal make þe Meke & lowe And able to knowe þe grete bounte Of God þat sitteþ in Maieste. Bi-þenk þe þenne, whil þou hast quart, In Bodi and Soule what þou art. Þi bodi was gendred of foul matere, Þat is wlatsum for to here. vv. 51-86. This passage is wanting in the Spec.Bi al þin Issuwes hit is wel sene Þat þou art not wiþ-Inne ful clene. Nyne Issuwes þou hast, I wene, Ȝif þou loke hem al bi-deene: Tweyne Eren þou hast, ben ful of wore, Þyn Eȝen ben goundi whon þei ben sore, Þi Neose-þurles ben ful of snit, And þi Mouþ of glet and spit, Þyn Issuwes þat aren in priuete ffor schome þou letest no mon hem se. Þerfore, seint Bernard as he vs telles:cf. The sayings of St. Bernard. Þou proude mon, þou art nouȝt elles But of Muk bretful a sekke; Mon, schuldest þou not so muche rekke Of þi-self þen of anoþer, ffor Rot is þi ffader, worm þi broþer, ffor gendred he is riht of þe same As þou. Proud mon, þou art to blame, Þat þow berest þe so stoutli And hast þow non enchesun whi! Heddest þow be maad of stones riche, Sonne or Mone or bodi heuenliche, How nobliche þow heddest be wrouȝt! As Lucifer þow miȝtest haue þouȝt. Of his beute proud he was: Þerfore him tidde a wel foul cas, In heuene he durede but a while. Riht so pruide wol þe be-gyle And caste þe doun riht to grounde, Þi soule in peyne hit schal be bounde. Þi bodi, þat now is hol and sounde, So foul rot hit schal be founde, Hit schal not turne to gras nor flour, But in to wlatsum and foul odour. Þus maiȝt þou knowe þi bodily staate, Þi fleschli lust forto abate. Meditacion of þe Soule. Of þi soule ȝit þenke þow What staat hit is Inne now, And what þou hast don her-bi-foren— Or elles þou maiȝt sone be loren. Þenk hou muche wikkednesse Þou hast don, and [left]om. goodnesse, How luitel good þow hast wrouȝt, Þi tyme hast spendet aboute nouȝt; Of werk and word þat is gon And of þi tyme schal leue riht non Þat þou ne schalt ȝelde ful streit acounte, Þou nost hou muche hit wol amounte. Ȝif þou weore bounde for to telleexemplum In þe séé þe smale grauelle, Or sterres in þe ffirmament, Þow heddest gret neode, verrement, fforto a-vise þe wonder wel! So most þou rikene eueridel Werk, and word, and þouȝtes alle, Þat ben wel mo þen grauel smalle; And of þi tyme þat is past. Þerof þou maiȝt ben sore agast To þenke þus what þi soule haþ ben! What hit is now, is good to sen. So chaungeable is þi soule, my frende, Þat nouȝt þe pleset adai to þe ende; Now art þow sori, now art þow glad, Now art in hope, now art adrad; Ȝit wilnest þow þing þat neuer ne was. Þou art more frele þen is þe glas:vv. 116-121 wanting in the Spec. Wiþ-oute touche hit lasteþ ay, Þi soule is frelore atte assay: Þorw siht wiþ-oute & þouȝt wiþ-Inne Hit may be broken, wiþ dedly synne. Þerto assentest þou lihtly, And for to be fondet þou art redi, And forte wiþ-stonde hastou no miȝt, But þorw þe grace of god almiht, Þat kepeþ þe vp whon þou schuldest falle. ·ffrom mony mischeues he con þe calle: Whon þou art loren he þe fyndes, Of Bondus of synne he þe vnbyndes; To þe deuel whon we were sold, He Raunsound vs, boþe ȝonge & old; Dedly synne whon þou hast don, He vengeþ him not þer-on anon, But Corteisliche he þe abydes; Þi schome & synne ȝit he hydes. He blames þe whon þou dost mys, And euere he techeþ þe, I-wys, In hungur & þurst he þe fedes, Among þin enymys he þe ledes, In hete and chele he þe refresches, Slepyng, wakyng he þe redresses. Heron þou þenke boþe Euen & morn! And eke, hou mony men han be lorn, Boþe be water and londe also, Þat God ne haþ not tendet to As to þe so bisyli. And þerfore sei, "sire, graunt Merci,"The Spec. has a complete prayer, beg. Gratias ago tibi, &c. Whon þow be-þenkest þe day or niht Hou god þe kepeþ wiþ-oute dispit In Bodi or soule, erli or late.— Þus maiȝt þou knowe þin owne astate. To loue god bi alle resoun ffor þis fordede þou hast enchesoun. Þis þouȝt is Meditacion. Now forþ to Contemplacion. Of Contemplacion in creature. Contemplacion is to seye: Siht of god and his nobleye. Þat maiȝt þou se be þin Inwit In creature, and in holy writ, And siþen in his owne kynde. Of þeose ȝif we wol haue good mynde, Þe nobleye of god [we se] in his werkes, As men mowe seo, Lewed & Clerkes. Þou þat neuere seȝe Duyk Henri,exemplum Þat þe newe werk of Leycetre reised on hiȝ: Þer-bi maiȝt þou wel wyte and se Þat he was lord of gret pouste Þat hit made of his owne cost— I hope he naue þeron not lost. Þe makyng of vche a creature Such isr. Schewis? godes miȝt wiþ-oute Mesure. And bi þe ordre of vch a kynde His wit we sen but we be blynde; And bi þe creatures meyntenyng Of his godnes we han witeryng. So long and Brod as is þis world, Heiȝ and dep, scheweþ him a lord Of Miht and pouwer gret saunȝfaile, Al made of nouȝt wiþ-oute trauayle. vv. 179-192 wanting in the Spec.Eyr & ffuir on heiȝ ben founde, Water and Erþe heuy at grounde: Of his wisdam hit scheweþ a part, And so to Ioyne hem a ful gret art. Hedde fuir and water to-geder ben set, Not wysli don men wolden han let, Þat On þat oþer wolde distruye; Hedde Eir be Ioyned to eorþe so druye, Hit wolde for chyne, for to seye soþ, No fruit wolde bere as hit now doþ. Water and Erþe are meynt to-gidere, ffor grene þing schulde not al to-whidere. Gret wit and wisdam, as I ow tolde In God ȝit ȝe may be-holde:In the MS. vv. 189-190 & 191-2 are transposed. How summe creaturs al-on Han beoynge of him, as stok and ston; And summe, as treo and gras and flour, Han lyf, but Ioye non ne no dolour; Summe ben & liuen & fleonr. felen lykyng, As Beest and ffoul and ffisch fletyng; Ouer alle þeose Mon bereþ þe pris, ffor he haþ reson to make him wys— Þat makeþ hym peringal lo here To Angeles of heuene, to ben heor feere. So muche may ȝit be monnes grace Þat he mai passen an Angeles place. Seynt Austyn, þe grete clerk, seiþ riȝt so: An Angeles place he wolde for-go ffor to haue þe worþi stede Þat God haþ ordeynd for Monhede. Herof I rede þou take good keepe! Elles þou art worþi gret schendschip, But þou lyue aftur þi degre, Seþþe þou hast such a dignite Alle þing to beo þin vnderloute, A-boue, bi-neþe, and al aboute. ffor al þing in eorþe, mon, in sum wyse Was maad of god forMS. þor þi seruyse: Hors & Neet and eke Chamayle, Þe to ese in þi trauayle; Lyn, fforre, fflax, Selk and Wolle, Þat diuersliche God ȝeueþ at folle, Þe to kepe from chele and hete; Beest, fisch & foul, & fruit, to þi mete. Þe þinkeþ par aunter hit is not so, ffor venymous bestes þei don vs wo. Þe harmful creatures, verrement, Weore maad til vre amendement, Þei ben to vs a Chastisyng, And eke a wel feir techyng. vv. 229-234 wanting in the Spec.Whil þou hast in þin hond a ȝerd,exemplum Þe Child þer-of is sore aferd, Of his vntiȝt= Germ. Unzucht ful sone slakes And to his lore good keep he takes; Hit makeþ þe child boþe meke & lowe, A-Mendeþ him wel him-self to knowe. Þe venymous beestes wel muche we dreden: Þe beter þerfore vre lyf we leden. ffor summe to vs þei beo nuyouse, Godes werk we knowe ful meruilouse— Of Godes wisdam a wonder cast! 240 ff. wanting in the Spec.But of his goodnes be-hold atte last, How Creatures þat ben Iure,So V. and MS. Sim. Þe Sky, Heuen, Sterres and heore nature God haþ maad forte mowe endure Euermore wiþ-outen eny gendrure; But þulke on eorþe eueri day þei rote, As on is ded, anoþur is gote— Such vertu in kuynde God con faste, Þat longe I-nowh so mihte þei laste, Ȝif his wille were for euere and ay; So multiplye þei euer vche a day, Þat summe ben olde & summe be newe, Þorw þe godnesse of his vertue.— Þus mowe ȝe knowe boþe more & lesse Godes Miȝt, his wit, and his goodnesse In creatures, as I haue told, How gret, how good, how monifold. Seþþe he haþ maad for vs al þis, But we him loue we don amis. Ȝif þow loue ȝiftes in þin entent, Loue him wel raþer þat hit þe sent, Þat is god al þing aboue. Þerfore me þinkeþ we schulde him loue; And for him-self ȝit wel more, Whon we be-þenken vs of þis lore. Þis þe furste Contemplacioun In Creatures of gret Renoun.— Þe secunde contemplacion In holy writ. ÞE secunde contemplacion is hit Þat I seide, in holi writ. Þei þow be lewed and con not rede, Noþeles ful wel ȝit may þou spede To herkene þe ffrere Sarmounyng And oþer priue Carpyng, And loke ȝif þou mowe ouȝt þer lere Þin vnderstondyng to make more clere. Þer maiȝt þow lerne, as I trowe, Good from vuel for to knowe, Sinne to hate, vertu to loue, And to ȝerne þe Ioye aboue, Þe pyne of helle for to drede, Nouȝt loue þis world but for þi nede; Alle þinges þat we of prechen, Summe of þeos poyntes forsoþe þei techen. Þerfore I prey ȝou, takeþ good hede After holi writ ȝoure lyf to lede, Godes wille so to knowe þer-Inne Þat ȝe mowe hate dedly sinne. And þat ȝe mowe knowe wȝuch hit bene, I schal hem riken alle bedene, And þe spices þat of hem launches. Pride þe furste, haþ six7 in the Spec. Braunches:vv. 289 & 290 are transp. in the MS. Þe furste is cald vnbuxomnes: Of herte hit is a gret hiȝnes, Makeþ mon to leeten þat him is bodenorig. beden And to don þat is forboden Of God or Mon, his ouerlyng. Þe secounde spice is Bostyng, Þat makeþ mon forto him auaunte Of good þat he wolde neuere haunte. Þe þridde spice is Ypocrisye— Schewest þe beter to Monnes eiȝe Þen þou art þi-self wiþ-Inne, And leetest as þou heddest neuer do synne. Þe feorþe is clept Arrogaunce, Þat schewes oþur mennes mischaunce And openeþ al out heore wikkednes, So þat þyn may seme þe les; Of oþer mennes schendschipe To þe þow takest worschipe. Þe ffyfþe spice, hit is dispyt, Oþer menne goodnes setteþr. settest? luit, Þow seist hit is not worþ a Bore, So þat þin may seme þe more.The 6th in Spec., impudentia, is om. Þe Sixte is cald Elacion, Boldnesse of vuel þat þou hast don; Þat makeþ mon for to fonde Correxion hou he may wiþ-stonde. Þeos ben þe spices most comuyn of pride, Þat spreden in þis world ful wyde. Pruide in heuene furst bi-gon, And seþþen in eorþe to mony a Mon. Of þeos þreo þinges as I schal telle, Of Pruide moni on haþ þe smelle: Of godes of kuynde, or of grace, Or elles of worldes purchace. Strengþe, feirnesse, good wit, or kynne Bi kynde þis mon haþ him wiþ-Inne; ffeiþ, Hope, Loue and Chariteal. Spec.: Scientia, virtus, gratia, bona fama, & dignitas. Goodes of grace þei ben, parde; ffeir Cloþes, Lond, Hous and Rent Worldes purchase ben, verrement. Of þeos þreo þinges pruide is born, Þat makeþ mony a mon to be forlorn. Þe secunde synne, hit is Envy: Of oþur mennes wele hit is sori, And of heor harm hit is fayn. Þreo spices hit haþ, as men sayn: In herte hit is furst, þorw vuel wille; In word: þi neiȝebor Bakbyte and spille; In werk, hit makeþ lered and lewed To his neiȝebor forte beo schrewed. Wraþþe to þi soule Is mischaunce— Of þi neiȝebor hit wilneþ veniaunce; Ȝif þou in herte bere hit longe, Hattreden hit engendreþ swiþe stronge. Herof comeþ cheste and Manasyng, Vileynous wordes, and eke grucching, Discord, Repref, deynous lokyng— Þeos ben alle a foul ofspring. Þe ffeorþe is slouþe in godes seruise. vv. 350-398 differ from Spec.Þe Braunches þerof I wol deuyse: Þe furste is feyntise wiþ-oute likyng, Þat makeþ þe heui wiþ alle þing; Þat toþer is a tendernesse, Þat suffreþ no disese nor duresse; Recheleschipe is þe þridde— Þou takest no kep what men þe bidde; Þe feorþe is called Idelnesse, Whon þou ne wolt worche, more ne lesse. Þe ffyfþe is cald Auarice, Þat haþ mony a sori spice: Þerof comeþ treson, and Robberie, fforsweryng, Oker, and Symonye, Þefþe, Beryng of fals witnesse, Lyȝing, and of herte hardnesse, Þat makeþ þe no reuþe to haue Of hem þat þe good craue. Glotonye is þe Sixte synne, Þat fouleþ mon wiþ-oute and wiþ-Inne. Þe furste spice is of glotenye To ete more þen þou mayȝt defye, Whon þou art in hele nomeli; Anoþer is to ete to lustili. Glotonye makeþ mon in hast To breke holychirche fast. Þe þridde makeþ bisili to þenche What maner of mete his lust may quenche. Þe feorþe, þat makeþ mon as ded, Þat is foul drounkenhed— Þat is dedly, bi enchesoun Þat hit bi-reueþ mon his resoun; But ȝif hit come wiþ-oute fayle Of feble brayn or gret trauayle, Or þe drinke be strengor þen men wenen, ffor venial synne we hit demen. Lecherie is on ofMS. of of þe seuene, Þat greueþ muche vr lord of heuene. In to þis synne whon tweyne falle Þat ben sengle, is lest of alle; But ȝif þe wommon a Mayde be, Worse is þat, þe secounde degre; Þe þridde is clept Holorie, Þat wedlak brekeþ, is synne ful hye; Incest þe ferþe, whon þou lyst bi Þi gostly kyn or bodili; Þe worste of alle is Sodomye, Vn-kyndely synne, foul Ribaudye— Þerfore haþ God taken gret wreche. Of dedly synne her endeþ my speche. Of þe Seuene blessynges of þe gospel, Seuene dedli Synnes remedie. But of heore remedies nou wol I telle Þat crist seiþ in þe holi gospelle. Þo ben þe benisouns seuene; Aȝeyn þeose synnes þei ben ful euene. "Þe Meke of spirit þei ben blest, ffor heoren is þe Ioye þat euer schal last:" Þis Blessyng aȝeyn pride is riht, Þat be-reueþ mon God almiȝt. "Þe Mylde beþon erasure; r. ben blessed þat loueþ no strif, ffor þei schul haue þe lond of lyf": Aȝeynes Envye þat was sayd, Of oþur mennes hauyng þat neuer was payd, But of Mischef of his neiȝebore He is glad, and of his lore. "Blessed ben þo þat Mournen I-wis ffor heore frendes þat þei mys; Þei schul ben cumforted wonder wel": Aȝeynes wraþþe hit is sumdel, Þat discumforteþ mon him-selue And þo abouten him, ten or twelue. "Þe Merciful ben blessed, for-þi God of hem schal haue merci": Þat is aȝeyn Couetyse, Þat to þe nedful wol not diuyse. "Þat hungren and þursten riȝtwysnesse, ÞeiMS. þat [schul] ben fulled more and lesse": Aȝeyn þe Slowe þat nouȝt wol wirke; Of alle gode dedes him þinkes irke. "I-blessed ben alle of herte clene, ffor godes owne face þei schul sene": Herof þe gloten may aske riȝt nouȝt, ffor of his foule wombe is al his þouȝt. "Þat louen pes þei blessed ben alle, ffor Godes children men schul hem calle": Þe Lechour in herte he haþ no rest; Of þisr. pes þerfore his part is lest. Aȝeyn þi woundes now hastou salue, Þe blessynges ȝiuen of godes bi-halue. Ȝit ben þei spedful to lest [&] most, Seuen ȝiftes of þe holigost. Of þe Seuen ȝiftes of þe holigost. Whon þou art hol sound, þe to lede Tak heer furst þe spirit of drede, Þat makeþ mon furst from vuel to wynne; Þe spirit of pite, wel forto bigynne Gode werkes; þat han a wel gret fo Of worldes wele and eke of wo: Þe spirit [of] cunnyng techeþ vs dispise Þe worldes wele [ȝif we ben wyse];So MS. Sim.; V. and eke of wo Þe spirit of strengþe, to suffre þe wo. Þeose foure to bisy lyf longen into, Þat we callen Actyf lyf. Þe oþer þreo rulen Contemplatyf. In Creatures to knowen God verrement, Þe spirit vs techeþ of entendement; Þe spirit of counseil, what is to do In writ, what is to leue also; To knowe god In his owne kynde, Þe spirit of wysdam vs bringeþ to mynde. Of þe Seuene vertues.In the Spec. the 10 Com|mandments precede. After þis ȝit is good to knowe Þe seuen vertues alle be rowe, ffor aftur þis lyf þei wol þe bringe To blisse þat neuer schal haue endynge. ffeiþ, Hope, and Charite, Diuine vertues þei ben alle þre; Strengþe, Mesure, Riht, qweyntise Of kuyndelich vertues þei beren þe prise. A bodilich Iurneye hose schulde go,exemplum Þreo þinges him were nedful þerto: ffurst, þat he wuste whoder he schulde; And wille, his Iurney to be forþ-fulde; Þe þridde, Hope for to spede— Elles þer-of nolde he take hede. ffeiþ of God ȝiueþ vs witerynge Of vr Iurney þat is endynge; Hope vs ȝiueþ strengþe and miht To come to him as heo han tiht; But wille þen ȝiueþ vs Charite— How miȝte we þenne for-go þeose þre? The 4 cardinal virtues form a separate chapt. in the Spec.Ne þe foure oþure neuer þe more. Her þou now þe skile þerfore! Þer may no mon God wel qweme But he cunne good from vuel deme, Þe gode to hente, þe vuel forsake, Of twei godes þe better to take. Þat hit is good, vche mon troweþ, ffor to ȝelde alle þing þat him oweþ, And for to wiþ-holde more or lesse Is vuel: þat techeþ vs Rihtwysnesse.vv. 483-6 corrupted. Of twey goodes þe beter to hente, Qweyntise vs techeþ, verremente. Good þing men mihte mis-vse, I-wis: Þerfore Mesure neodful is. Vuel mihte mon to muche doun bringe: Strengþe þerfore is nedful þinge, ToMS. Ta make mon hard to suffre wo. To ten Comaundemens now wol I go. Of þe ten Comaundemens. ÞEose biddinges wol I not ouer-hippe. On God þou schalt worschippe. His nome þou ne schalt in Idel munginge (!).r. munge, minge Halewe þin halyday, þe þridde biddinge. Þeose rulen þi lyf, alle þre, To þe holi Trinite. A-ȝeyn þe furste biddyng þou mischeuest, On eny wicchecraft ȝif þou bileeuest. Aȝeyn þe secunde þi-self þou derest, Horible oþes whon þou swerest— Ȝit maiȝt þou swere wiþ-outen synne ffalsede to dampne, þe riȝte to wynne. Aȝeyn þe þridde þou dost wronge Whon þou lyst in þi bed so longe Þat Matyns nor Masse herest þou non, To ffreres prechinge wolt þou not gon— Þer-Inne of swetnesse þou felest no tast; Bote to þe tauerne þe þinkeþ more hast Þen to visyte þe seke or þe pore, Þat liggen a-tome or at þi dore; Ȝif þou dost þus, soþ to say, Þou halewest not wel þyn halyday. Godes curtesye her maiȝt þow se: To him-self he ȝaf biddynges but þre; Þe seuen þat comen herafter nou To þe and to þi neiȝebores prou. ffader and Moder þow most honoure; Wiþ foul cher not on hem toom. to loure; Ȝif heo of þyne habbeþ gret nede, But þou hem helpe, vuel schalt þou spede. Loke þat þou sle no mon, Wiþ hond ne wiþ wepene non, Ne þorw þyn owne gilerye Nouȝwhere to puite him for to dye; Sle no mon wiþ tonge, biddynge, Beo tisement ne bi procurynge; In herte Coueyte no mon to spille— To borwe him raþure is godes wille, Ȝif þou hit may do lawefully, Elles of þis biddynge þow art gulti. Stele non oþure monnes good. ffrom fals witnes þow torn þi mood. Þi neiȝebores good þow schalt not desyre, Wyf nor Mayde-child for heor white swire. Loke þou do no Lecherie, Þi-self for þat wol most anuye.vv. 539-40 ought to follow v. 534. But i prei þe, þou seist, telle me þe skile Whi god forbed raþur vuel wille Of worldes good, and of Monnes wyf, Þen to bi-reue a Monnes lyf. ffor, hose is in wille for to stele, Wiþ oþer monnes wyf or wiþ to dele, Hit is hardore him-self þer-from to holde Þen from monslauȝt, be þou bolde! ffor þerof kyndeliche vche monnes sone Haþ gret Abhomynacione; But wraþþe haþ him his resun raft, Wiþ him þerof horrour is laft, After þe dede or elles be-foren— Elles mony mon schulde be for-loren. Of twelue articles of vre be-leue. But no mon may, þe Bok hit seiþ, Plese God wiþ-outen feiþ. Þerfore mo þinges is good to meue: Þe twelue articles of vre bi-leue. Of alle þe twelue þis is þe most: Þat ffader & Sone and Holi gost On God Almihti in Trinite Euer was, and is, and euer schal be; Heuene and eorþe he haþ wrouȝt, And al þis world he maade of nouȝt. Þe ffader sende his sone Ihesu Þorw þe holygost vertu, God and Mon of Mayde Marie To be boren, and for vs to dye, And buried was, þorw his good wille, To sauen vs alle þat we ne schulde spille. To helle he wente whon he was ded, Þe soule Ioyned to his godhed; ffrom helle he hem fette swiþe blyue Þat him hedde serued in heore lyue. Vp he ros þe þridde day, As he was God and Mon verray; Riht so schul we, as seiþ seint poule, Rysen vp in bodi and in soule At þe grete day of doom— Þerof I rede we take good goom! Þen schal he demen al apert Vche mon after his decert.orig. dicert God and Mon to heuene he went; Þe holigost to þe Apostles sent. Þorw him so mowe we heuene wynne, Ȝif we dyen out of dedly synne.All these form 5 articles in the Spec.; the 7 last are the 7 sacraments. Of þe seuene Sacramens. Offr. On þe seuene sacramens ȝit mote we trowe, Þat I schal rikene al be Rowe. Þe ffurste, hit is cristendom, Þat cryst receyued in þe fflom; Hit makeþ vs clene of þat synne Þat we be boren vchone Inne, And openeþ to vs heuene-ȝate, Elles may no mon come in þer-ate. But þorw gret temptacion Þat grace miȝte be struied soon: Þerfore is Confirmacion— Þat non may but Bisschop don; Þe holigost hit stableþ riȝt In þe, aȝeyn þe fend to fiht. But after þeose we sungen al day: Þerfore penaunce hit doþ a-way Dedly synne and venial,orig. veniel Þat is to seye gret synne and smal; Þreo parties hit haþ, verrey penaunce, Þerof þe synful mai ha fyaunce: ffor-þinke þe synne wilfulliche, And schriue þe þenne verreiliche, And make a-mendes to þi miht— Of al þi synnes þen art þow quiht.= quit But leste in penaunce mon schulde fayle, Him neodeþ cumfort in þat trauayle: Hosul þerfore, in Bredes heuȝ Godes bodi, we tan, of gret vertu; Vre gostli strengþe hit holdeþ Inne, Þat we ne falle liȝtli aȝeyn to synne. But in a wel-ruled halle, Þat ben þer-Inne þei serue not alle, Out of array for þenne hit were— In holichirche þe same manere: Ordre of presthod is maad þerfore, Vs to serue lasse and more Of Sacramens and vre rihtynges— Presthod haþ power of alle þeos þynges; Gret worschip owen we alle þer-to: Prest sacres þat bodi, þat aungel ne may do. But god schop mon forte restore Þe noumbre of angeles þat is forlore, Þorw kyndelich generacioun, And þerto he ȝaf his benisoun Þat Monkynde mihte multiplie, Wiþ-oute synne of Lecherye Mon and wommon to-gedere Ioyne; Þerfore he ordeynde Matrimoyne, Þat dedli synne hit doþ a-wei— But þe venial wol I not sey. But of þis world whon we schul wende, Gret peyne we han þenne at vr ende: Þerfore is holi Oynement, Þat vs aleggeþ, verreyment, Of peyne we han þenne bodily, And of þat we dreden gostly; Such vertu God herto con lene To folfille þe penaunce þat naþ mad clene. Of þe seuene dedes of Merci. Bute at þe dredful domes-day Mon schal haue an hard a-say, ffor he schal þenne a-posed be Of þe dedes of Charite. Þerfore is good now to witen Wȝuche hit ben, as hit is writen. Þe ffurste is, fede þe hungri. Ȝeue drinke to þe þursti. Þe þridde, þe naked for to cloþe. To herborwe þe pore be þou not loþe. Visyte hem þat ben in prisoun bounde. Cunforte þat seknesse haþ cast to grounde. Of þeose sixe þe gospel spekeþ. Þe seueþe Tobye vs he þat techeþ: To burie þe dede Is Charite— In Bodi and soule quit schal hit be.The rest of the chapter in the Spec. is omitted. as well as the foll. chapter: De septem petitionibus orationis dominicae. Of þe seuene druweriesr. doweres of Monnus bodi.The Engl. text is more detailed than the Spec., which in 1 chapter contains: de dotibus corporis & anime & de penis inferni. ÞI Bodi schal haue druweries seuene, As Monye þi soule, boþe to in heuene, Of þe [whuch] schal rise þi grete blis— Þer-bi maiȝt wyte what heuene is. Þi bodi schal schyne so wondur feire, No foulnesse schal hit a-peyre; Seuenfold briȝtore þen is þe sonne Vche bodi schal be þat haþ hit wonne. Ȝit was þer neuere foul of fliȝt As þi bodi so swift and liȝt, ffor in a twynclyng of an eiȝe ffrom erþe to heuene þou maiȝt styȝe. In bodi þou schalt ȝit be so strong Þat al þe erþe, wyd, dep, and long, Þou schalt mowe posse hit as a bal; As þou wolt welde hit, þou schal. Þou schalt ben fre, þat nou art bonde, Þat no þing schal a-ȝein þe stonde To lette þe to passe whoder þou schal, Erþe ne water ne stonene wal; As oyle synkeþ þorw hol vessel, So schal þi bodi perse al þing wel. Vre bodies þat here ben seke and sore, Þei schul haue hele for euer-more; We schul beo so wel atese Þat hunger ne ferst nor no dissese Nouþer wiþ-Inne ne wiþ-oute, Hurt nor langour we schul not doute. Þerto gret lykynge in þat lyue We schul han in vr wittes fyue, Vche a wit wiþ-outen anguisch Schal haue his lykyng wiþ a wusch: ffeir siht lyking to þin eiȝe; Þyn Eres ful of melodye; Tast, and Smel, and þy felyng, Þei schul be ful of gret lykyng; And al þis Ioye schalt haue to-gider— Vr lord of heuene bring vs þider! In þis lyf whon we best fare, Whon we be-þenk vs, we mai ha care Þat mischef of deþ schal vs be-tyde; Þerfore vr blisse may not a-byde: But in heuene wiþ-oute stryf Bodi and soule schal euere ha lyf; Þerof þou maiȝt þe wel affye, ffor bodi and soule þei schal neuur dye. Of þe doweres of þe soule. ÞI soule schal haue þisMS. his warisun: Of wit and wisdam so gret foysun Þat creatures alle, hiȝe & lowe, In heuene & eorþe, þou schalt knowe; Gret Ioye schal þat be, sikerliche! ffor mon disyreþ kuyndeliche To knowe þing þat is vnkud; ffrom þi knowyng nouȝt schal ben hud. ffrendschipe wiþ-outen enemyte, Þat schal ben a-noþer fe; Such frendschipe in heuene among hem is Þat vsSim. vche is fayn of oþeres blis. A-cord and pes wiþ-outen stryf, fforsoþe, hit schal be þere so ryf: Þe bodi and soule, þat striuen here, Vche to oþer schal be so dere Þat þe bodi schal noþing wille But þat [þe] soule wol al be skille; Þyn eȝen ben of so good assent, Þat on lokes nowher verreyment But ȝif þat oþer loke þer-wiþ; Þer schul ben alle in so good kiþ Þat Bodi and soule vche wiþ oþer Schul to-geder no þing soþer. Worschipe wiþ-outen vileny Þer schul we haue, sikerly; As kynges in trone sitte we schal, Crouned wiþ Angeles peryngal. Þe soule, þat her haþ luitel maystrie Or þauȝ þe bodi be in gret anuye, So gret miht þer schal hit haue Þat nouȝt aȝeynes hit schal quich nor quaue. But trust nis non in worldes wele, Nou art þou sek, nou art in hele, Nou artou pore, now artou riche— Þe blisse of heuene nis þat not liche: ffor þe meste part of þy Blis Schal be sikernesse of al þis. Þe seueþe blisse: þi soule in heuene Schal þonke God wiþ hiȝe steuene, As Angeles don wiþ gret likynge, "Holi, Holi, Holi" is heore syngynge. Of þe peynes of helle, & amonesting. Hit is no neod now for to telle More of þe peynes þat ben in helle. In bodi & soule þei han gret nuye, Of al þis Ioye þe contrarye.— Ȝif þou be-þenke þe, my dere frend, wel Of al þis Ioye eueriche a del Þat god haþ ordeyned for þi solace Whon þou schalt sen him in his face, Þou hast gret Matere, sikerliche, Him to loue souereynliche Þat such knowynge and such wit Ȝiueþ vs of him in holy writ. Nou hast þou matere of holy speche Vnwysore þen þou for to teche; And whon þou spekest wiþ eny mon Þat more good con lere þen þou con, Sum of þeos Materes þou maiȝt enqwere, Wel more good for to lere.— Of þe þridde Manere of contemplacion in god him-self. Tac hede nou & þou schalt se Of Contemplacion þe þridde degre, Of God hym-self wiþ-outen doute, Of Godhed wiþ-Inne, monhed wiþ-oute. Þre þinges þou þenke, as I þe rede, Of crist vr lord in his monhede: Of þe Incarnacion þe grete Mekenes, And of his liuyng þe holynes, And of his passion þe charite. At ones þou maiȝt not þenke þise þre; I schal departe hem, as I may, Be þe houres of niht and day; Wiþ double Contemplacione In vche an houre of god þou mone: Ones of his passioun, And eft of oþer sesoun. Contemplacion at Matines tyme. At Mateynes þenk, aftur or bi-foren, Wȝat time & vre, place crist was boren. Þe tyme was wynter, ȝif þou be-holde, Þe vre was midniȝt, wonder colde, Þe place, as doctours seyen and trowes, Was a toren hous wiþ-outen wowes. In Riche cloþus was he not wrapped, In Cracche wiþ ragges he was happed, Bi-twene an Oxe and an As— Gret Meknes þer I-schewed was! Be-þenk þe of þat cumpaignye Of Iosep and of swete Marie, Hou bisy þei weren to kepe þat fode Þat for us schulde dyen on Roode; Of þe herdes deuocion, And of þe Angeles þat songen abouen "Ioye be to god þat is on hiȝ"— In herte so syng þou priuely.— Þenk how Iudas also outrayde At midniȝt, whon he crist be-trayde; Hou þe Iewes þei him be-caste, And as a þeef þei bounden him faste, And as a feloun þei forþ him lad. Whon þe traitour a Cos him bad, In speche he was so Meke & hende: His traytur he calde his dere frende. In dede also he schewed non awe, fforbed al hise wepne to drawe, And Malcus ere, þat Peter of smot, Heled hit aȝeyn, not chid nor flot.vv. 811-12 and 813-14 are transp. in the MS. Biforen Anna i-lad and Cayphas Vileynesliche þer I-boffeted was, And petur þryes wiþ-Inne a þrowe ffor-sok him, ar cok hedde þries crowe. And alle þe Apostles euerichon A-wey þei fledde, wiþ him lafte non.vv. 817-18 ought to precede v. 813. Of contemplacion at prime: of þe passion, and of þe Resureccion. Off þe passion þenk at prime, Of cristes vprist þe same tyme. Crist in to a ȝard at prime himr. he, cf. v. 826. ladde And fals witnesse aȝeyn him hadde, Þat seiden hou he hedde god dispised, Þe cuntre al tornd and dyuised ffrom Ierusalem to Galyléé. And in his face þen spitten heo, Þei hudden his face & bobed his hede And scorned him and bad hym rede Ho him smot þo wiþ his fuste. Nout he ne seide, þouȝ he wel wuste. Of þe Resurexion. ÞEnk also at prime, whon crist vp ros— Þerof wydewhere sprong þe loos— Vyue siþes apecred he þat day To his derlynges, soþ to say: ffurst to Maudeleyn, þat was him dere, Whon heo þhoute him a gardynere. To hire and oþure, verrement, As þei comen from his Monument; And seide "al heil! God saue ȝow." And siþen to Peter—but we nute how. Þe ffeorþe tyme as a straunge pilgrim To twey disciples, þat knew not him, Toward Emaus, þe goode Castel; In bred brekyng þen kneuȝ þei him wel. Þe ffyfþe tyme to þe apostles ten, But Thomas was not wiþ hem þen; But þat hit was he þei nouȝt bileeued, ffor a gost to hem he furst bi-semed, Til he schewede boþe foot and honde Amiddes hem þer he con stonde, "Pees to ȝow" he seide þon— Þei kneuȝ him wel whon he was gon.The Spec. adds the 5 other apparitions. Biforen vndurne: Of þe passion, and of Witsuntyd. ÞEnk how crist at vndurne-tyde Was dispoyled, boþe bak and syde, And to a piler þenne was he bounde And skourged so sore wiþ mony a wonde Þat from þe foot to þe heued Hol skin was on [him] luitel be-leued. Wiþ Mantel of Red þei him cladde, Bi-foren þe folk þei forþ him ladde, ffor Septre a reod token him in honde, Crouned him wiþ þorn, I vndurstonde, In the MS. vv. 867-8 precede v. 863.And þenne þei kneled him be-forn And called him kyng al in scorn. Vp-on Pilate þen gunne þei crye Ihesu on Rode to Crucifye. He bar his Cros wiþ gret anuye To þe place þer he schulde dye. Bifore vndurne of þe holigost. ÞEnk also at þis same vre Þe holigost wiþ gret honoure Crist his apostles sende amonge, So wonderliche to speke wiþ tonge Þat folk þat weoren of oþur langage Heo[m] vnderstoden, & seiden outrage Þat of wyn dronken þey were. Þe holygost also schewed him ful clere In fuir, to make hem hard and bolde, ffor þei schulde not in mischef folde. At Midday: of þe anunciacion, And of þe passion. At Middai be-þenk þe witerli Hou Gabriel grette vr swete ladi, Þenne conceiued heo crist Ihesu Þorw þe holigost vertu. But whi wolde he take flesch & blode And siþen dye for vs on Rode, Siþen he miȝte ha saued Monkynde Bi an Angel, as I fynde? But þen schulde we ha loued be riȝt Þe Angel more þen god Almiȝt; He wolde we loued him be-foren al oþur: Þerfore him-self bi-com vr broþur. Also of þe passion. ÞEnk hou crist was don on Rode— His bodi þen ron al on blode; Bi-twene twey þeues he hynged; Galle & Eysel to him þei menged To drinke, for þurst whon he him pleined. ffor vre gult so was he peyned. In al þis world þowMS. þorw peynes alle Vpon o Mon miȝte falle And he miȝte suffre as muche more As alle men þat nou ben bore, Þe same deþ twye or þrie Þat crist suffrede þouȝ he miȝt dye, Þat peyne ȝit were not so liche Nouþur neiȝ so as his so miche. Hit semeþ wel þenne bi þat i telle His peyne passeþ þe pyne of helle Þat pure creature miȝte þole, i-wis, ffor euere so may neuer on his. At Noon: of þe passion, and of þe Assencion. BE-þenk þe at þe vre of noon: Whon crist hed seid þat al was don, Mildeliche wiþ-outen bost To his ffader he ȝeld his gost,The Spec. here gives the 7 words of Christ on the Cross; the Engl. text follows the Horae de Cruce, No. XIX. And to him he made a cri Hely lamaȝabatani, Þat is to seye aftur þe Book "ffader, whiere þou me forsok?" As hos seiþ, þus here for to spille; A, lord, for hit was þi wille. A blynd kniht þen atte laste A Spere þorw [his]MS. þin herte þraste, Þat Blod and water þen out ȝede. Þerof we schulde take good hede: Þe blynde kniȝt þerof cauȝte his siht, And vre Bapteme þere hedde miȝt. Lord, ȝif me grace day and niht To þenke how deolfulliche þou were diht! Þe sonne for deol þen lees his liht, ffor to be wreken of his dispiht; Hulles and dales þei al to-schoken, And þe stones al to-broken. At Non of þe Assencion. ÞEnk also at þe vre of non Of Ihesu Assencion On þe Mount of Olyuete, Whon al þe Apostles þer gunne mete, And his deore Moder Marie, In al heore siht vp gon he styȝe, And sitteþ on his ffader riht hond, Þat weldeþ boþe Séé and Lond. Þe Apostles bi þe wey þat was geyn To Ierusalem þei torned a-ȝeyn, In preyer & fastynge þer for to abyde, As he hem bad, til witsontyde. At euensong-tyme: of þe passion, and of þe Maunde.MS. Monhede At Euensong-tyme þenk verreyli: ffor ded was founden his swete bodi, Ioseph þenne of Aramathi Tok him doun deuoutli, Of Pilat, þat þenne was heiȝ Iustise, He asked no more for his seruyse. Þi pouwer, lord, whon þow were ded, Hit was hud in þy godhed;cf. XIX, v. 131. As gras is stomped for medicyne, So were þou fruscht wiþ muche pyne; Allas for deol, boþe euen and Morn, Þe Croune of blisse lai vnder a þorn!Cf. XIX, v. 131: Heu corona glorie iacuit sub spina. Now of þe Maunde of Ihesu crist. At euensong-tyme of his Maunde Þenk; wiþ hou gret Charite He wuȝsch his owne apostles feete, And of his Bodi alle þei ete As he heom ȝaf in bredes heuȝ, And to Iudas, þat waried Ieuȝ, Þauȝ he him wuste in synne derne, His flesch & blood ȝit nolde he him werne. Ensaumple herof þe prest may haue Non hosul to werne hose wol hit craue, In priue synne þouȝ he him knowe— To warne hym stilly is best, I trowe. At cumplin-tyme: of his passion, and of his buriinge. At Cumplin þenk wiþ good entent Hou crist in to a gardyn went After þe Maunde, forto prey His ffader þat passion to don a-wey; Þe Monhede of hym so sore dredde þat Þat blod & water þer so he swat Þat hit dropped doun in þat place In to þe eorþe from his face. Of þe buryinge of Ihesu crist. ÞEnk at Cumplyn: þe bodi of crist Was leid in graue til his vpryst, Þat Ioseph diȝte for him-self hadde; And in Sendel he him cladde, Wiþ Mirre and Aloyne, good oynement, He Baumede him, wiþ good entent.— Lord, ȝif me grace swetnes to fynde Þeos Vres þus to haue in mynde, Þat suffredest for me þis harde paas! At myn ende hit be my solas.— Of Contemplacion of god in his owne kynde. Þus schaltou þenke on his Monhed. Now schal I teche of his godhed, Þat from vr knowyng sumdel is hud, And in foure wise to vs is kud: In Creature, and in holy writ— Þerof Ichaue my tale quit; Þe þridde be Reuelacion, Þe ffeorþe be monnes reson. Bi Reuelacion God scheweþ him-selue As he dude to þe prophetes twelue And to oþere Mony on, Or be Miracle open I-don. Bi reson þus God maiȝt þou kenne, Ȝif þou wolt þe be-þenke whenne Þou were nouȝt or þou boren were; Of oþer Creatures þe same manere, Þat comen & gon eueriche day; Þe soþe þer-bi wel wite þou may And bi reson vndertake Þat þei miȝt not hem-seluen make; Heore biginnynge seþþen þou maiȝt se, And of hem-self þei mowe not be, Þenne mostou nede grante sum þing Þat neuer hedde no bi-gynnyng, Oþur þynges of whom comen alle, God Almihti þat men calle. But twei goddes ȝif þat þer were, Þer moste nede be sum manere Of diuersete hem bi-twene— Al on elles moste þei bene; Þen moste þat on, as wel I wot, Sumwhat haue þat þe toþer hedde not; Þen hedde þat on, sikerliche, Ouþer to luyte or to muche; Ȝif þat he hedde to luitel, He were not god almihtful; And to muche ȝif þat he hadde, A sori god were and a badde Þat to muche miȝte not do him fro— To alle þing for þat is so. Siþen two goddes þenne mowe not be, On-lepi god þen graunte we. But Ioye is non here in no two afye (!)r. in to affye Wiþ-outen riht good cumpaynye. Siþen God is ful of Ioye and blis, In Godhed Cumpaynye þer is. Be-twene lasse þen two mai hit not be: Two persones in God þen mai we se. But cumpaignie were nouȝt, I wene, But þer were loue hem bi-twene: Þe þridde persone, I wol warante, In Trinite þen moste we graunte, To make loue and Charite In þe holy Trinite. And þus mowe we knowe anon Þreo persones and God but on. In þi-self þou maiȝt a-tameexemplum Open ensaumple of þis same: In þi soule þou seost ful wel Miht and Connynge þou hast sumdel; Þi miȝt & Connynge þe wiþ-Inne To loue hem boþe þou const not blynne; Þi miht is furst, and þenne cunnynge, And of hem boþe comeþ louynge. Þe same manere in god aboue: Miht and Connynge and eke loue. Þe ffader we callen þe furst Miht, Connynge þe Sone, of him comeþ riht; Þe holigost loue we calle, Þat comeþ of boþe, knowleche we alle. Al Monkynde [knoweþ] in toun and felde Þe ffader waxeþ feble in his elde, Þe Sone in his ȝouþe is not wys, Of Monnes gost comeþ Malys. In god lest men wolde wene þe same, Þe ffader haþ miȝt, þe Sone wisdame; His miht is euer gret inlike, Þe sones wisdam may nouȝt be swike. Þe Holigost he haþ goodnesse, Wiþ-outen Malys More and lesse. To knowe god þus furst men come Bi resun—so maiȝt þou, ȝif þou take gome Þin herte to god vp so to lifte, In þeose þreo wyse as I skifte: By his werk, and holy writ, And bi resun of monnes wit And of him-self in double kynde. Wel ouȝte we þenne haue him in mynde, Þat al þis world wiþ þat þer-Inne Ȝaf, and him-self, vr loue to wynne. Nou þou him knowest & his bounte, Loue him wel for Charite Euer-more to þi lyues ende! To Ioye & blisse þen schaltou wende, Þat he haþ ordeyned for vre solace. Lord, bring vs þider for þi grace. Amen. Þus endeþ þe spore of loue— God grant vs þe blisse of heuene aboue.Then follows the well-known 'Disputacion bytwene þe bodi and þe soule,' ed. before by Th. Wright, Walter Mapes, p. 340 ff., and extant in 5 other, partly very old MSS. (MS. Auch., ed. in Owain Miles, Edinb. 1837, Laud 108, Digby 102, Reg. 18 A x, and Simeon), mostly printed, wherfore I omit it here. Cf. Anglia II. p. 225. [XXXVI. Þe Lamentacioun þat was bytwene vre lady and seynt Bernard.] So the title in Index. Title in D, 'Lamentacio sancti Bernardi de compassione beate Marie vir|ginis ex dulcissimi filii sui passione et eiusdem crudeli morte'; in T, 'La|mentacio sancte marie & beati Bernardi.'Her is a gret lamentacion betwene vr ladi & seint Bernard, Of cristes passion, hire dere sone, þat was so pyneful & so hard.

Ed. before, at my suggestion, in Engl. Stud., 1885, vol. viii. p. 85 ff., by G. Kribel, from MS. Vernon and Cambridge Dd. 1, 1. I here give the text of MS. Vernon with various readings from MS. Dd. 1, 1, and two more MSS., Trin. Coll. Oxf. 57 f. (incomplete), and MS. L. 70. The poem is based on a Latin sermon attributed to St. Bernhard (ed. opp. Antw. 1616, col. 156, and in Migne Patr. Curs. Ser. II. vol. 182, col. 1133, Paris 1879; both edd. differ in some respects, the Engl. text rests more on that of the former ed.), with frequent addings from the Gospels (cf. v. 21-4). The poem is not to be ascribed to Richard Rolle, but to Richard Maidenstoon, the author of the Seven Penitential Psalms. Cf. Kribel, l. c. It is in 8-line stanzas of alternate rymes.

 Lewed men be not lered in lore,D Lewid L Lewede. D arn T buþ L þat beoþ. T noȝt. D lerid L lente, om. in T. As Clerkes ben in holi writ;D clerkis. T beþ L beoþ. D writte. Þauȝ men prechen hem bi-fore,T þeȝ L þei, D & þouh. D preche L reden. TL before D euere-more. Hit wol not wonen in heore wit:DTL It. DL wile T may. T noȝt. D wone T dwellen. D hire T hare L here. D witte. Þerfore is þat I syke sore,D ffor þis it is. T y. DTL sike. ffor broþurhede, as God hit bit,D bretherhed TL broþerhede. T it D vs, om. in L. D bitte. And, ȝif cristes wille wore,DL if. D Cristis T godis L godes. D wil it. T were. Wel fayn I wolde amenden hit.DTL om. Wel. TL Y wolde fayn. D amendin. D itte. Ȝif Crist haue send mon wit at wille,T And ȝif. TL god. D sent TL lent. DTL vs. D witt &. Craft of Clergye, for to preche,DL & craft. Alle hise hestes scholde we fulfilleDTL We schuld (L sholde T shullen) fayn his hestis (T his hestis fayn). T fulfelle. As ferforþ as we mihten areche.D ferfort TL fer. D has. DTL oure wit. L myghte T may D wold. TL reche. Ȝonge and olde, holdeþ ow stille:D hold ȝow TL loude &. ffor broþerhed I wol ow teche—D As bretherin alle. DL wile T wil. DT ȝow L ȝou. Þe Mon þat con, and teche nille,D ffor he T ffor who so L Who so. DTL om. þat. DTL can. D & haþ no wille. He mai haue drede of godes wreche.L Him. DTL om. haue; T doute L douten D sore dowte. D Cristis T harde. Þerfore ichaue on Englisch wrouȝt,DTL I haue. TL in. L englissh. D wrouht L wroughte. Seintal. As Bernard witnesseþ in Latyn—DTL As B. seyth (TL seiþ) in his l. Mon may be glad in al his þouȝtTL A man D He. L beo. T wel glad L blithe. TL om. al; T om. his. L thoughte. Þat his wit haþ leid þer-In.L al his. D besynes L tente. T haþ leyd his wit. D om. haþ; leyde. Þe gospel nul I forsake nouȝt,D wile forsake it L wel forsake I T forsakeþ it. Þauȝ hit be writen in parchemyn;TL þat is wryten D ffor he it wrot. Seynt Iones word,al. bok and hit be souȝt,T Iohanes D Iohn his L Ion in his. DTL bok if it. L beo soughte. Þer-of hit wole be witnes myn.DL Herof. T Wil be þerof. TL om. hit. D ben. DT witnesse. While Ihesu crist on eorþe eode,D þat while þat L þe while þat. DTL god inst. of Ihesu crist. DT erthe. T ȝede L ȝeode D ȝode. Mony of his Miracles writen þei were:DTL Alle his. D myraclis T workes L werkes. D wretin. DTL om. þei. Þer nis no mon þat mihte redeDT is. L om. no. T man DL clerk. D om. þat; D in boke. D may T couþe L coude. Þe goodnesse þat he dude here.D goodnes T guodnesse L godenesse. DL dide. D to vs here. T þere. Men and wymmen, ȝe schulen haue mede,TL Man. D women TL woman. D schul T may L mowe. D han. Lusteneþ alle now me I-feere;DTL If (TL And) ȝe me (om. in TL) listne (T wille lestyn) alle in fere (T yfere). Ȝif I sigge mis, takeþ good hede,DTL mys-say. D takiþ. T guod L goede. And wisseþ me, þat hit betere were.D om. And. DT wisse. D to telle þe beste to lere. L as inst. of þat hit. T y inst. of hit. L better. ffader and sone and holy gost,D om. and(1). Al-mihtiful god in Trinite,T Almyȝtful DL Almyhti. DT trenyte L trinitee. Myn hope is on þi Modur most,D Mi mone TL My mynde. D to the. TL moder D modir. fful of grace and of pite:L mercy. T pete. Þouȝ I be synful, as þou wel wost,L þauh T þeȝ. L beo. DT it inst. of wel. Such grace þenne þow sende meD Swich g. lord, T Lord such g., L Lorde sende suche g.; DTL om. þenne. L om. þow; T sende þou. DL to me. Sum word to speken wiþ-outen bost,L Som. DL speke. DL wiþ-out(e). Þat sum men mowe þe beter be.D sum man T many folk L mankynde. DT may, om. in L. DT betere L bettere. L beo. Gret del hit is to speke and sayDTL It is gret dool (T del L deol) to telle. Of him þat dyed on þe Roode,D god T ihesu. DT deyde L diede. DL vpon T oppon. DTL rode. How he vppon þe gode ffridayT om. he. L on. D good T guode. ffor vs þenne schedde his herte-blode;D vs alle. DTL om. þenne. D schad T shadde. D om. herte; L suete. Alle hise disciples flowen a-way,DTL his. D disciplis T deciples. D fled T fledden L fledde. ffor doute of deþ þei were neiȝ wode:D But Marie & Iohn be him stode. TL drede. T neȝ L ney. Þer nis no tonge þat telle mayDT is. L om. no. D tunge. D tellin. Þe serwe of Marie, his moder gode.T sorwe L sorwes D goodnesse. DL om. Marie. D good T guode. Here begins the Latin text.Heo him bar boþe god and Mon,DTL ffor sche. DTL as inst. of boþe, DT man. And siþen him clepede swete Ihesu,L sithe T sethe D setthe. DTL clepid (T clepude) him. DTL om. swete. And offrede him to Symeon—D Sche. D offerid. D Symean. fful wel þe prophete him he kneuȝ!TL om. fful. D Þat prophete ful wel. DTL his lord knew. An Angel warnede vre ladi þonT þe. D aungil. D warnid. TL w. hem of þer (L here) fon. D þan. Of kyng Heroude, þat was vntrewȝ,T & of. TL Eroude (L heroude) þe kynge v. (þat was om.). And bad hire in to Egipte gonTL hem. D vnto T intil. D Egipt. D gan. ffor doute of deþ of mony a Iewȝ.DTL drede. D dr. of þat feloun Iew. TL many. T gew L gewe. Euer was Marie glad I-nowȝDTL wel inst. of glad. D anow. Whon heo hire swete sone seȝe;DL Whan T Whanne. DT sche. DTL seye. Whoderward þat Ihesu drouȝ,T Whyderward so D Whedir þat euere. D drow L drouhe. He nas neuere out of hire eȝe.DTL was. T here. DTL eye. Siþen men duden him gret wouȝ,D Setthe T suthen. D þe Iewis. DL dide. D wow L wouh. Harde peynes heo seiȝ hym dreiȝe,D peynys. DTL sche. T seȝ L say D saw. T dreye DL drye. His honden wereal. om. nayled to a bouȝ,D hand T handes L hondes. DTL om. were. D naylid. TL til D vpon. D bow L bouhe. Vppon a treo honged wel heiȝe.DTL & on. D þe cros L a cros. TL hongen D þei heng. DT him L on; wel om. in DTL. DTL heye. Þauȝ heo weore wo no wonder nas:L þauhe T þeȝ D þow. DT sche. DTL were. L om. wo no. D wunder. DT was. Heo seiȝ hym blodi, bodi and croun,T Hy D Sche. T seȝ L seye D saw. T blede L bleden. D crowne L croune. Hire sone þat so gultles was,L Hire oune s. DT þat was so, om. in L; L al. DL gilteles. Wiþ stremes of blod he ron a-doun.D Stremyd of blod þat ran riht downe T Of blod þe strem ran adoun L On strem þe blode ran adoune. To sen his peynes was gret pres,D seen L seon T se. D peynys L peyne. D þer was. D om. gret. Wymmen folewede him þorw þe toun,D women. DT him folewid (folwede) L foleweden him. T þorghe L þoruh. D towne. Sore wepynge, wiþ-outen lees,D weping T wepende. DL wiþ-oute. DT les. ffor gret deol of his passion.DTL And made (LT maden) dole (T del L deol) for. D passiowne. Ihesu tornde, þat was so meke,TL turnede (tornede) him ful meke D him turnid ful mylde & meke. And spac wordesal. a word of gret piteD seyde. DTL a word. To þe wymmen þat þeral. he dide, or he speke,T And to L Ande þus to. D women. D he dide TL he, inst. of þat þer. And seide: "Wepeþ not for me!L weopeþ D wepit T ne wepe ȝe. T nouȝt L nouhte. ffor ȝoure children ȝe mowe wepe,TLD But (wepiþ D) for ȝow (T ȝow-selue) & ȝoure children (D childer) eke. Þat doþ me schome, as ȝe mowe se."D þei DTL don. TL shame D sorow. D may. L seo. No wonder þouȝ hire herte breke,TL om. No. T Wonder it was. D if TL þat. DTL Maries. D myhte br., TL ne br. Þat seiȝ hir sone so beten be!D saw. D betin. L beo. Whon he was beten wiþ scourges sore,DL Whan T Whanne. D betin & scorgid s., TL beten swiþe s. Alle his frendes were from hym gon;T & alle D om. Alle. D frendis L freondes. T were fro him g., L fro him conne g., D fled fro him good wone. Þreo dayes vre feiþ was loreT þre. DTL oure. T siȝt. D ilore L forlore. Saue in Marie, his moder, al-on.D Saf in þe thef & Marye alone. Bernard bereþ witnesse þerfore,DTL Seint B. witnessiþ (L wittenessede) it (om. in L) before. Also doþ hire Cosyn Ion:D And so TL & al-so. DL Iohn. ffor serwe þat heo hedde þoreD sorwe TL þe sorwe. DT sche. D had TL hadde. On swouȝ heo fel sone a-non.D Out of hire eyen þe blod gan gone TL þe blod out of here (L hire) eyȝen ron. Þe blod out of hire eȝen ron,TL Out of here eyȝen þe blod it (om. in L). DT ran. Al-most hire herte clef a-two—L Almest. DT in two. Seynt Bernard, þat holy mon,DTL þe holi man. Witnesseþ wel þat hit is so.D witnessiþ L wittenesseþ. L om. wel. DT was. Seint Bernard in to chirche wenden he con,DTL om. Seint Bernard. L ffor in to. T Intil. DTL a temple. TL wende he D he wente. TL gan D þan. To witen of þat Ladi wo.T wite. T lefdy DL ladyes. To him wel feire spekenMS. spenken heo gon,TLD & sche (L heo) ful (D him) faire fraynede him þan (D freyne gan). What was his wille to asken þo.vv. 33-6 added by the poet.D To witen what his wil was þo. L aske T aske hire. L so. "LAdi, ȝif hit be þi wille,D He seyde Ladi L Lauedy he seide. T Leuedy. L were ȝoure. Tel me, as þou art heuene-qwene,DL Telle. Hou þat þou weope þin herte fille,L Hou D If T Whanne; DTL om. þat. T wep D wepte. Whon þei duden þi sone to scheme,DTL Whan men. T dude DL dide. DTL þat tene. Whon þei him bounden and beoten illeDTL om. whon þei: Bounden (D Boundin) him & beten (DT betin) him (om. in L) ille. And Corounden him wiþ þornes kene,D crownid T crounede L crouneden. D thornis. Andal. om. [he] bar þe Crois meke and stilleDTL He. L his cros D him euere. D mylde L myldeliche T boþe mylde. As þauȝ on hym non harm were sene.D As non harm on him had bene TL As him were no sorwe sene. "Ladi," seide Bernard, "weore þou þere þo,DTL Swete ladi (T lefdy L lauedy). DTL om. seide Bernard. DTL were. Þer Men him bounden and beoten so fast?DT Whan L þo. T þeȝ. DTL betin (L bete) & bounden. DTL om. so; L him. DL faste. I wot þou weore not fer him fro,D hope. DTL were. T noȝt. Þin herte was stif and ful studefast!DL is. DTL so. TL om. stif and. DTL om. ful. D stedfaste T stedefast L stedefaste. Allas! whi nere myn herte so?D Allas allas whi dide þei so. TL my loue. Whi is myn now so vnwrast?DTL myn herte; now om. DL vnwraste. Whi nolde hit cleue or breke a-two,D Þat it ne wile cleue in two. TL breke (L berste) or cleue. Or wepe while þat hit wolde last?A stanza om.

T &. DTL whil my lyf may. DL laste.

DTL then have the following stanza: Ladi, I am in (om. in L) greet longing To seen (T se L seo) þat (T þe) sihte (T siȝt) þat þou there (om. in L) seye, Whan (L Hou) þou gan (T be-gan L gonne) þin handis (T honden L hondes) (to T) wring (wringe), Þe teris (TL teres) ran (L ronnen) doun be (L of) þin eye. Þou saw (T seȝ L seye) þi sone wiþ naylis (TL nayles) sting (T stynge L stronge), & (om. in L) on a tre (L treo) þei (om. in TL) heng (TL hongen) him (L on) heye. Whi ne were (TL nere) myn herte in (L on) þi mournyng, Whan (L þo) þou him saw (T seȝe L seye) swich (T þe L þo) peyne (T pynes L peynes) drye (TL dreye)?

 "Tel me þial. Allas for serwe þin herte was in,DTL Allas for (TL þe) sorwe. L þat þou were. D þin h. myhte kyne. TL ynne. Whon þou seȝe þin oune fode,D saw L seye. D owne T herte. Godes sone, his hed doun lyn,D Goddis T Godis. D heuid. DL clyne T clynne. Þer he hongede vppon þe Rode!þer as. DTL heng. T oppon. Þeiȝ he weore God, his flesch was þyn,T þeȝ L þei D þouh. DT were L beo. DTL þe f. T fles L flessh. D thyne. His bodi ron doun al on Blode.D Þat swete bodi þat ran on bl. TL Þou seȝe (L seyen) him renne (L rennen) al on bl. Allas, whi nedde þi serwe be myn?TL nere D ne were. DL þat. DTL sorwe. DTL om. be. Whi nedde I stonden þer þou stode?113-120 follow in TL the stanza wanting after 128.D Or I had stonde T Why ne myȝte y stonde L Whi ne stod I. D þer þat. "Whon [þat]MS. Vr ladi seide: Whon he his lyf forsook,DTL om. Vr ladi seide. DTL Whan þat. D forsoke. He bowede his hed & lafteal. les, lost his siȝt,D bowid. D heuid. TL les D lost. D sihte. And nom his leue, his wey he tokD His leue he nam T He nom his wey his leue he t. L nam. L & vp he t. D toke TL toke. Vp to his fader ful of miht.L om. Vp; T Op. Witnesse wole þe holy book,DL As beriþ (bereþ) witnesse T As witnesseþ. D boke. Þat day þe sonne les hire liht,D sunne lost. T here D his. D sihte. Þe Temple clef, þe eorþe qwok,D claf. DT erthe. D quoke TL quoke. Þe dede a-risen to lyue apliȝt.A stanza om.

D þe dede men. TL risen. D þe soth to plyhte. T leue.

Then DTL have the following stanza: Ladi (T Leuedy L Lauedy) þi loue is (L was) naturel, & my (TL myn) loue (om. in TL) is swiþe (L swiþe wonder T wonder sore) lite; Be (L ffor be) þi weping (T wepynge) it semiþ (TL semeþ) wel No clerk þi sorwe ne may (LT may (myȝte) þi sorwe) write. Allas whi nadde (D no had) I (T ich) loue (L loued) sumdel (TL somdel), Þat to (TL in) myn (T my) herte it (om. in L) myhte smyte, Þat is hardere (T hardere is L harde is) þan (L so) any (TL ston or) stel (L steel), May no bale þerin (TL þer-ynne) bite.—In TL then follow v. 113-120.

 "Ladi, tak hit not a-gref,DTL Swete ladi (T lefdy). D take. DL om. hit. T noȝt. D to greef. Þeiȝ I speke of his peynes so;T þaȝ L þauh D If. D peynys mo. To heren of him me is ful lef,D speken T speke. L Of him to speke. DTL it (om. in L) were me (L me were) leef. I ne may hit nouȝt for-go,DTL ffor I. DTL om. ne. D wile not his loue f. L him note T noȝt it. I seo him hongen as a þef,TL þou seȝe (seye). D se. D hangin T hange L honge. L so a theof. Godes sone and þin also:D Goddis T Godis. Ladi, þe teres þat þou þer ȝef,T Leuedy. D teris. TL þere. L geef. Graunte me summe!" he seide þo.al. er þan y go.T some L somme. D to han of tho TL er þan (L ar þat) y go. "As þou art queen of heuene-blisse,D Ladi queen ful of bl. T þou art leuedy of h. bl. L Lauedy þou arte queen in h. bl. And I am here in gret perile,D As. L perille T fyl. Swete ladi, þow me wisse,T lefdy L lauedy. Þouȝ I be synful mon and vyle.T þaȝ L þauh. L beo. DT man, om. in L. T wyl. As þou art moder and Mayden I-wis:141 DT mayden & moder. TL y-wisse. What dude my lord in his exile?DL dide T dede. DL þat; T om. his. T exyl L exille. Whon he was pyned wiþ-outen mis,DT Whan L While. D pynid L peyne. D wiþ þe Iewis L wiþ-oute lisse. T mysse. Whuche weren his wordes in þat while?"D Whiche L What T Swilk. DT were. TL werkes D werkis. T whyl L whille. "Bernard, þe wordes of þi MouþT Bernad. D wordis. D mouþe L mouhte. To myn herte scheteþ a spere;T my. DTL han (T hane) schotin (T shoten L smyten). Þat speke of him bi norþ & souþ,D His was al as mannys ȝouþe. TL Who-so spekeþ. TL be. T northe. TL or. L souhte. I-wis, þei don myn herte dere!D it TL he. DTL doth. Wepynge is me now ful couþ,r. vncouþ? cf. Lat.: quia glorificata sum, ultra jam flere non possum.DT But (Bote) w. D not vnkouþe TL now vncouþ. Now þow wolt my peynes lere.D If þou TL And þou. D wile TL wilt. D of peynys TL of my peynes. Mekeliche þow aske nouþe:D Setthe of weping þou askist T Sethen wiþ wepynge askeþ L Sithe þou wepinge askest. T nouþ L nouhte. Bernard, I wol þe onswere!"DTL om. Bernard. T Y wil þe shortliche answ. DL I schal the tellin (L telle), D wiþ swete a. L if þou wilte here. Bernard seide and gon to speke:DTL If I to the (TL sholde inst. of to the) of (his TL) peynys (TL peynes) speke. "Mi rihte were to wepe sore:DT riht. D wepin L weopen. Min herte [is hard &] nul not to-breke,DTL Myn h. is hard & may (L wil) not breke. I seo not hit wole melte fore.D It is no þing T Is noȝt þat L þer nis no thinge. DT wile. D meltin. T more. I wolde heal. it were in serwe steke,DTL it were. TL sorwe. D a stede D to steke T be-steke L y-steke. Wiþ mer. ye to wepe euer-more:TL þe D eye. T wepen L mourne. DL for euere-more. Hit nil not ofal. May no ter fro myn eȝen rekeDTL May no tere (L teer T ter) fro. L om. myn. D eye. L reken. To wepe, as my wille wore.D wepin. TL so. D wil it L willes. "As þou art Qwene of heuene & helleD Qvod Bernard Queen TL Lefdy (Lauedy) quen. And baar him þat vs deore haþ bouȝt,DL þou inst. of And. D bar TL bere. DT dere. DTL om. haþ. D bouhte T abouȝt L aboughte. Hou hit is þou most me telle,DTL How so it be (L beo). D must L moste. Þing þat is now in my þouȝt:DTL Of þing þat I haue the besouhte (T by-souȝt). Weore þou þere as men [wold] him qwelle,D Where were þou. T om. as; D whan L þo. DT men wold(e) L men diden. In Ierusalem, þer he was souȝtD In I. þe fayre cite it was wrouhte. L whan inst. of þer. And nomen wiþ þe Iewes felleD takin L token him T bounden. TL om. þe. D Iewis TL gewes. And siþen bi-fore Cayphas brouȝt?"L om. siþen; D setthe be nyhte. D beforn. T sire Cayphas. L him broughte. Ovre ladi seide: "I was þere þo,T lefdy. L side T answerd. Sore I wep and wrong myn honde;D fful sore. D wepte L weope. D hond. Whon þe Iewes him ladde me fro,D led him L ladden him T hidden him. To folwe him wepinge miȝt I not wonde.TL Wepynge (L weoping) to folwe D To wepin sore. him om. in DTL. D I myhte. D wond L stonde. No wonder was þeiȝ me were wo,D It was no wunder. L nas. D if. T y. Ac hit was wonder I miȝte stonde,DTL But (T Bote L Bot) wunder it (om. in TL) TL was D is. D þat I. Whon I seiȝ hym to peyne goD Whan, om. in TL. D saw T seȝ L seye. TL my sone. D peynis T peynes. And beo bounden in hard bonde.D & bounden & betin & don al schonde. L om. And. TL om. beo. L Bounde T wounden. L wiþ. TL ful harde. L bondes. "On Cene-þursday wiþ-Inne þe nihtT On þe. DTL scherthursday (L sherethoresday). D wiþin L in T at. T om. þe. Cayphas him nom, him þhouȝte gome,D þe Iewis toke him alle in same TL Cayfas & his (& his om. in L) men him nam. Wiþ swerdes and wiþ lanternes briht,TL Wiþ lanternes & wiþ (om. in L) swerdes br. D Þei souht him wiþ l. br. And clepede him Ihesu by his nome.T om. And. D callid T Calde. T ihesus ihesus. DL be. DL name T nam. He onswerde: 'I am her riht.D Mi sone. D answerid T answerde L answerede. D hem in hire siht. Do my disciples for me no schome!'TL Doþ. D these men T deciples. L shame T sham D blame. ffor alle þe peynes þat him were diht,DL al þe peyne. DL þat þei him. L dyghte. He nolde his frendes hedde no blame.D wold TL wolde. L freondes D disciplis. D had TL hadde. T blam D schame. "ffor no chesoun of his takyngDTL ffor þe (om. in T) encheson. He wolde no mon þe worse were:D þat non. TL man, om. in D. D werse. Þat schewed he wel in alle þing,TL Þat he schewede D He schewid þat. DTL om. wel. D al|maner. Boþe here and elles-where.D Thanne inst. of Boþe. DT there. D ellis. Peter, for soþe, made fihtyngDTL om. for soþe. D stod vnto f., L stoed forþ wiþ f., T wiþ-stod al sittynge. And smot sone of a Iewes ere:D om. sone, T al smert of, L of smertly. TL gewes D mannys. Mi sone him blamed for þat þingD But he leet be at his seyeng. TL blamede him. And also-swiþe heled hit þere.T om. And. D as sone T Als quike L also quyke. DL he helid T he it helede. L him. "Iudas was ful of þe ffend,DTL þat was. L feond. fful wel my sone his tresun wust:D ȝet T þeȝ L Al, inst. of fful wel. L sones tresoun. DTL wiste. Þer he cleped him his frendD & callid him ȝet T ȝut he callede him L & ȝette he clepede him. D his dere L leoue. L freond. And Mekelicheal. myldeliche he him cust.D myldeli TL myldeliche. DTL kiste. Þe Iewes of harm hedde non ende,L To done him harm þei coude n. e. D om. of. D had T hadde. D neuere non. Mi sone to-beten and to-pust,D my dere s. D to betin TL to bete. TL ne. TL to-biste D biste. Wiþ strokes þei gunne to him wendeD wepenys L skourges. T þeȝ gan him to w., D aboute him þei gan w., L faste to him þei w. And leyden on hym wiþ staf & fust."T leyde D bete; D om. on. D stauys & wiþ. DTL fiste. "vv. 201-8 added by the poet. Ladi," seide Bernard, "God ȝelde hit þe!D Seyde Bernard Ladi I prey the T Lefdy quod B. y praye þe L Swete lauedy pray I þe. Tel me more of Myn askyng:D ȝet telle. L nouþe inst. of more of. Þi swete sone, what dude he?DL dide. Whi nolde he stonde wiþ fihtynge?D Whi stod he not wiþ no f. Bi kynde skil I may wel seDTL Be. D rihtful skile T riȝt wise L ryghte speche. D men. DL om. wel. L seo. He mihte hem alle to deþe bringe.D deth bring. Swete ladi, tel þou meT lefdy L lauedy. D now telle it me. L telle. Al his semblaunt and his berynge!"D bering. "A, Bernard, ȝif I teres had,T om. A. D & I teris. TL hadde. Nou miȝti wepe al my fille.DTL myhte I. L weope. L om. al. Of serwe nas I neuer sad,DTL sorwe. T ne was L was D am. Whon I þouȝte on his peynes ille.D þinke T þenke. D peynys. AlMS. And-hou he was from me lad,L om. And; DT But (Bote). T whan inst. of hou. TL my (deore L) sone was be-stad. D fro. I haue told, and ȝit I wille,DTL h. þe told. DL ȝet T ȝut. And hou he was in serwe stadD I was in greet sorwe bestad TL And whan (L Hou) þe gewes fro (T for) me him ladde (T bad). And I him folewede wiþ teres grille.D But euere I folewid. DL om. him. DTL crieng (T criende L cryande) schille (L shrille). "Þei hudden his eȝen & boffetede him þoD hid TL hidden. L hise. D buffet T smyten L smyte. L om. him. And beden him reden ho hit wore,MS. wereD bad T bede. DTL rede. D what þat he. T were. And duden hym peynes monie mo,DTL And othere peynys (peynes) D dide him mo TL many mo. Þer nis no tonge may telle fore.DTL Ne (om. in TL) may no tunge (TL tonge) tellin (TL telle) T before D more L for sore. Þere stoden my sustren twoD Beside þer stod. TL myne. D susteris T sostres L sostren. Þat hedden loued hym wel ȝore;D had T hadde L hadden. D louid. D om. wel; TL ful. D longe before. Marie Maudeleyn dude also,DTL And M. DT Magdaleyn[e] L Magdeleyn. DTL om. dude. Þat trewely louede him in hire lore.D truli T triwely L treuliche. D louid L leoued. D him & his. L om. him; in his. T here. "Hire loue was studefast and trewe,L He was. D was euere. D stedfast T stedefast L stede|faste. T newe. And I hym louede ful trewelyche.al. tenderlicheD louid. TL om. ful. TL tenderliche (tendreliche) D tendirli. [Strong]MS. Good is loue of ffrendes newe,TL Strong D ffor strong. T om. is. D frendis. T triwe. And of þe Moder nomeliche.T namliche L nameliche D grettest namly. I seiȝ neuere my sone chaungen hewe,L say DT saw. DTL him neuere. D chaungin T change his. But euere in on, as lomb I-lyche.D But as a lomb wiþ-outen cry. T om. euere. L a inst. of as T al-wey inst. of as lomb. Sori þei were alle þat hym knewe,DL Alle were sory T And was sory. And wepte for him, boþe pore & riche.D Riche & pore & alle him bi. T wep L wepten. L om. boþe. "ffrom Cayphas paleis þei him drouhDT ffro L ffram. D drow. Riht to Pilate, my sone to spille.L Before. D him inst. of my sone. He criȝede not, as men duden him wouȝ,D Þei tok non hede þei d. TL He ferde. D dide L diden T dude. He eode wiþ hem wiþ gode wille,D þei. DT ȝede L ȝeode. D him. D good. Euere he was Meke I-nouȝT om. Euere. D was Ihesu. L mylde T meke and mylde. And heold him boþe clos and stille.D He suffrid hem & held him stille. T held L helde. Pilat wolde not þat þei hym slouh,D Pilate wold. T om. þat. DTL men. D slow. In his dedes he fond non skille.DTL ffor in. D dedis T dede L dethe. T seȝ L say. TL no. D ille. "Þei stripte hym þat ilke stounde,D stripid T streptyn L strepten. DTL him nakid. D on a L in þat T þat st. To a piler bounden him þat day,DT & bounde (bounden) him to (til) a pilere. D all day. And beoten him whil þei warm him founde.D om. And. D Bete T betyn L beten. T wel where þeȝ h. f. Þen was my song weilaway!DT þan L þo. D weleaway T welaway. ffourr. ffif. þousend & fyf hundred woundeD ffyue þousand & iiij hunderid w. TL ffor þre (L a) thousand & sixe hondred w. Þei maden on him, for soþe to say,D On him þei mad. T made. D soth. And seiden on skorn vppon þe grounde:D On skorn þei seyde & fil to gr. TL on skornynge on. 'Þi prophecye helpe þe ne may.'D þat. T propheri. DL nouht (note) helpin (helpe) the may T helpen ne may. "Mi leue Bernard, gret was my careL leoue D dere DTL frend (L freond). Whon þei criede wel faste in on:DTL Whan. D cride T criden L crieden. D alle þan T al at an L alle on one (wel faste om. in DTL). 'Do Ihesu on þe Crois ful [ȝareMS. raþe. al. ȝif him þe dom, þe crois is ȝare]DTL ȝeue (T ȝif) him dom (T þe dom) þe cros (T crois) is ȝare. And dilyuere vs Barraban!'DTL delyuere. TL Baraban. Goddes sone to Iugge þareD Goddis T Godis L Godes. T iuggen D deme. T ȝare. And leten a þef to lyue gon,253-4 & 255-6 transp. in TL.D ffor a thef þat þei wold han. T let. L theof. T gan. Bernard, þis was a sori fare,TL Lo B. DTL here was sori f. Such dom hedde neuer no mon!253-4 & 255-6 transp. in TL.D Swich a T Swilk L Suche. D had T herde L seye. DTL om. no. DTL man. "Þus þe Iewes steorne and stouteD Iewis L gewes T þeues. DTL sterne. Mi sone hedden in hard bonde.T heldyn L helden D þei held. T &. TL harde. L bondes. Pilate hedde of hem more douteT Þat P. L And P. D had TL hadde. D mor. ÞanMS. þat he hedde of godes sonde:D goddis T godis. Þat was I-sene, heMS. þei ladde him outeD om. þat was Isene; ffor he led him þer-wiþout. L Hit. T sone L sene (I- om.). T þeȝ ladde L þei hadden. And dude him to þe Iewes honde.D & dampnid T & delyuerede L To deliuere. TL om. þe. D Iewis TL gewes. Þe Iewes þrongen him a-boute,D tuggid T wentyn L ronnen. DTL al-aboute. And I for serwe mihte not stonde.DTL sorwe. T noȝt. "Whon he was dempt and out sent,DTL Whan. D dampnid T iugged L Igged. T y-sent. Alle þei duden hym gret dispite.D dide; TL hadden, him om. DL despite T despyt. He nom þe Cros and forþ [he] went,DTL tok. TL his. T crois. DTL he wente. Wiþ wraþþe þei driuen him, muche & lyte.D Þei skornid him, wiþ wr. om., T Wiþ wo þeȝ folwede him L ffen threwen on him boþe. D mekil T mokel L mychel. T lyt. Allas þat lomb [þat] Innocent!L He ȝeode forþ as a lomb i. DT þat i. Wolues wolde him sore a byte.D Þo wuluys T Whanne w. L & þei as w. D wilde L þat wolden. D so sore bite T þere a byt; L om. sore a. Þe care was at myn herte lent,D Þat sorwe T þe sorwe L His sorwe. DTL is in. D so bent. Mi serwe mihte no mon wyte.

D care TL wo. D I may hem alle wite TL ne wiste y (L I ne wiste) wham (L whom) to wyt(e).

After 272 DTL have the following addit. stanza: Þei mad (TL maden) game & (game & om. in L) gret lawhing (T laȝyng, L lauhinge), Whan þei betin him althermest (TL Þe cursede gewes wiþ þe mest(e)), Þei (TL And) bad (TL beden) him (om. in T) seye (T sithe) if (T ȝif) he were king, Þei (L þan) wolde (TL wolden) don þan alle at (T be at al L þei alle beon at) his hest (L heste). Mi sone answerid hem no þing (TL He noȝt answerde (L answered not) til (L to) hare (here) askyng), Þouh his peyne were wiþ þe mest (TL His wordes were (L weren) euere (L wiþ) þe lest(e)), But (L And T He) bar þe (L his) cros (T crois) til (L to) his parting, Mekeli (TL Myldeliche) as (L so) it were a beste (T best).

 "I suwede, & swouhnede mony a siþe,T Ne. T seuede L sewede D folewid. D swownid L swounede T shonede. D many a, L fele sithe T felesye. Mi sustren comen a-bouten me;D susteris T sostres L sostren. T euere ȝeden, D ȝedin L ȝeoden. D aboute TL vnder. I spac to himMS. hem as I miȝte kiþe,D I callid T And callede L & euere I clepede. T on him; L om. to hem. L I dorste T dorste y. T crye. Whon I himMS. hem for pres mihte se.DTL Whan I for pres myhte him ouht (T noȝt L note) se (L seo). Mi sone hiȝede him wel blyueal. A, sone, why hyestou so switheD Sone, I seyde, þou hiest þe swithe TL A, sone, why hyest (L hyestou) so swye (swithe). And bar him-self þat heui tre,al. & berist on bak so h. a t.DTL & berist (berest) on þi (om. in T) bak so heuy a tre (L treo). And let me beoal. & leuist Þi moder. be-hynde vnbliþe:DTL And leuist (leuest) þi moder. T vnblye. Bernard, þen gomede me no gle."DT þan L þo. D gamyde T gamede L gamenede. L gleo. vv. 281—304 added by the poet."MErci," seide Bernard, "heuene queene,TL Grant mercy. DT quod B., L he seide. T to h. q. Þou hast so muche me i-told!DTL Þat þou (om. in L) so (TL þus) mekil (L myche) hast me told. Ȝit þer is wel more I-sene,D ȝet L ȝette T ȝut. D moche inst. of wel. DTL I wene. Þat ful fayn witen I wold:D Of þingis þat I witen wold. TL Þat y ful fayn L wite w. T ȝut here w. Hou bar my lord him, ladi schene,T leuedy chene. A-Mong þe Iewes breme and bold?D Iewis TL gewes. T brym D stout His harde peynes alle be-deneD Ladi þi tellingis TL And þyne (L ȝoure) sorwes. T al. But þou me teche, myn herte is cold.DTL But I hem wite my care. "Ladi, of þe and of þi childeDTL Of þe ladi (T lefdy). T þe. DT child. I wolde wite a more strif:D wold. L witen. D an ende of TL anoþer. What dude my lordal. If my lord were meke and myldeDTL If my lord were (L was). T myld. To þe endyng of his lyf?D Vnto. D ende TL laste ende. D of al his. I haue seȝen séé and watres wylde,L ffor TL I am T in se in L sete in, D I haue seen manye in D wateris TL wateres. T wyld. Stremes and wawes two and fyue;D In stremys & wawis T In synne of wawes L In wawes of sinnes. D stoute & blyf L foure or fyf. Swete ladi, from schome vs schyldeD But atte laste þei wold hem schilde. TL om. Swete; T Lefdy L Lauedy, TL fro shame þou me shild(e). And to riȝte hauene þou [do] vs ryue!D & wiþ al hire myht sauen hire lyf. T om. And. L & in ryghtful. T þou me dryf L do me ryue. "I haue seȝen men þat nolde notal. wolde, not om. louteD seen TL seye. T om. men; D fele. L om. þat. DT wolde L wolden, not om. L aloute. Til þat þei þe harde I-seȝe,D Riht vnto þe erthe þat þei sye. TL seye (I- om.). And siþen for drede of deþes douteD ffor drede to deye þan had þei doute. L sithe. T for þe dethes d. Heore herte a-rysen vp an hiȝe.L Heuen here hertes al on h. D Hire T here. D hertis. D resin T risen; vp om. D þan on T al ouer. TL heye D hye. Before 301-2 TL have the following 2 vv.: And woxen (L weren) alle (L boþe) sterne & stoute, ffor þe (L here) deþ was hem so neye. Whon his enemys were him a-boute,T godis enemyes D þe Iewis. L weren D com. L about. Hou miȝt he al heor scornyng driȝe?TL om. al; D alle. TL here D hire. T skornes D wordis. T dreye. 303-4 om. in TL. In his face þei spitte and spoute:D to spitte and to. Whi wolde he suffre þat vilenye?"D How myhte . suffere . vilanye. Oure ladi seyde: "His herte was stif,D Bernard broþir TL A broþer Bernard. T he inst. of his herte. T stef. And mekely suffrede al her fare;D om. And; Mekeli he. TL myldely. D sufferid T þolede. D hire TL here. Monnus soule him was ful lef,DT ffor L And. TL mannes D manye. D soulis L soules. DTL was him. D om. ful; TL so. L leof. Wiþ his blod he bouȝte hem þare.D He wolde his blod bouhte. T Þat wiþ. D hem alle TL it. He seiȝ me stonde in serwe & gref,al. I saw him hangin as a thef,DTL I saw (L seye) him hangin (T hangen L honge) as a thef (L theof). Wiþ wepyng and wiþ muche careHe saw I stod in mekil kare::DTL He (L & he) saw (om. in L) I stod (TL me stonde) in mekil (TL in sorwe &) kare. Mi serwe dude him more grefDL ȝet T þat D dide my weping TL my wepynge (weopinge) dude (dide). D mor. Þen alle þe peynes he suffrede þare.DTL þan. T al. D þat he bare. "And þat was ful wel I-sene,L om. And. D þat þing. D om. ful; L wonder wel T wonderly wel. D sene. Whon he tok me to seynt Ion;DTL delyuerid. Meke he was, wiþ-outen wene, Þat tyme he loked me vppon.D lokid TL lokede. T oppon. Þen wox my serwe couþ and grene,DL þan T þanne. D wex T wax L was. D he boþe ȝelow & grene TL my sorwe nywe (L newe) & grene. Of anguissche I mai make my mon.D anguys T angwisch L anguisshe. DL now I make T now make y. DL mone. I wol þe telle al be-deeneT Lest & y L Lithe I. DL wile T wille. T om. þe. TL om. al. His harde peynes euerichon.T Myne L Myn. DT euerilkone. "Lusten to me, my Broþer Bernard,D Herkin T Herkne L Herkene. DT om. my. D broþir. I wol þe telle of peynes more—TL Whyl y speke of his. D I wile the tellin of peyne ȝet mor. Þyn herte schal ben ful hard,T It shel be wel wonder h. L beo. D swiþe. But hit greue þe ful sore;D But if. T it wile TL rewe. Þauh I haue a parti spardD þouh T þoȝ. D I a parti haue it. D sparid TL spared. Of his peynes herbifore,DT my. I wol þe telle her-afturwardDL schal T shel. D tellin. T om. her. His harm an hundred siþe sore.D A þousand part þat hardere wore TL Þat ere (arne) a þousand siþes (L sithe) more. "Bernard, I saiȝ my sone hongeD saw T seȝ L say. D þer hong T hange. As þauȝ he were a Mayster-þef,D As T Als L Also, þauȝ om. DL it. D had ben. L theof. 331-2 & 333-4 transp. in L. His Bak and syden sore I-swongeDT Wiþ sidis (sides) blo (T bleike) & sore, L His white sydes sore D beswong T beswonge L beswongen. Þat white were and me ful lef.L White þei w. L leof. He was Crouned wiþ þornes stronge,TL Crouned he was D Þei crownid him. D thornis strong. In eueri syde þei duden him gref,DTL On. T ilke a. T me. D dide T dude, L sore þei him greof. And drowen him on þe cros a-longe,DL þei inst. of And. D drow. T crois. L o-longe D al along. His senewes to-bursten & to-dref.D senewis T synes. D þei borstin TL borsten (to om.). D so þei dref TL þou may (myhte) me lef (leoue). "Þe blod ron doun bi Bodi and heued—DTL ran. TL of D fro. D his heuid (bodi and om.). Þat lykede þe corsede Iewes wel!L þe. D likid. TL cursede D cursid. D Iewis TL gewes. D ful wel. Wiþ spotel & blod he was be-weued,L In. D spotil T spatel. D al beweuid. Þat he was lyk a foul Mesel.L ney lyke. He was to-drawen and to-dreuedD so drawin T to-drawe. D to-dreuid. And Nayled wiþ þre Nayles of stel.D om. And. D Naylid T nailled. L threo. D naylis T nailles. Þen was my strengþe me be-reued,DTL þan. D ioye T power L poer. D bereuid. And al-most a-doun I fel.

D þat sihte grovid my fol euel (gr. &c. by another hand) TL ffor sorwe as (L al) ded adoun (L doun) I fel.

After 344 TL have the following stanza: Þe tweye (L þe two nayles) were dryue(n) þorgh (þoruh) his honde (hondes), & þe þridde þorgh (boþe L) his fet. Me was so wo y myȝte noȝt stonde, Of (wepinge L) blod my hondes (L leres) woxen (L were) wet (weete). ffor al his sorwe (L peyne) wolde he (L he nolde) noȝt wonde, Þat he was (L nas) euere meke (L mylde) & swet; Was þer no reste for to fonde, Whanne þat he (om. in L) his lyf for-let.

Then follows in TLD: Allas þe (L þat) swete heued (L hed) allas (D Allas þin heuid þei al to-race), Þat (om. in T) was wonid (T wont, L woned was) lye (T to lye) to my brest, I saw (L seye þat) it honge (T hange, L om. it honge), it (D &) had (TL hadde) no plas (L place D space) Wher-on (L-onne) it myhte ouht (om. in TL) han (TL take) rest (D reste). To come to (T til) him (L him to) had (TL hadde) I no grace (T gras L space), Þat was wonid ben to him alþer-neste (TL Þat y was wont (L woned) to nyȝe (L neighe) nest (L nexte)). Þei heng (L henge T hangede) him by þe (D on an) hey (om. in T) pas (L pace D space), There as ȝede (TL þer al folk ȝede (L ȝeodes) boþe (om. in L) man (T mest) & beste (T leste).

Then in TL follows Vern. 345-352, which stanza is om. in D.

 "I seiȝ where foure welles wereT saw L sauh TL þat. L þere were. Out of his lymes ron o-blode.L On his. TL body. T ronne L rennynge. TL on. Bernard frend, my sone dereTL Lo Bernard my s. L deore. Þus him seruede þe Iewes wode!L So serueden him. TL gewes. Ich hedde gret blisse whon I him bere,TL I hadde blisse whan. And of his þewes monye and gode:L hise, om. in T. TL many. [Þen]MS. ffor T þanne L þo al wox won Bodi and leore,T Þanne wax wan boþe hyde & lere L Þo wex he al wan liche & lere. Þat feirest was of alle fode.TL fairest. "So feir ȝit was neuer nomon,L ffor so. D fayr a man. DL om. ȝit. T was ȝut. T noman D non L man. As bereþ witnesse holy writ:D beriþ T beriȝt. DL witnes. T in holy. D writte. Þenne was his beute al a-gon,D Þer TL Þus. T bewte L beaute D fayrhed. D þan al gon. T agan. As þe gospel telleþ hit.T Al-so. D þe apostelis tellin itte. I hedde a sone, nou haueD þan had I non,D had TL hadde. D þan had. Me wonteþD wantid boþe weole and wit;D wantid T wanteþ L wantes. DTL wele. D witte. I notal. ne wiste, nyste in world whoder to gonDTL Bernard (L And) I ne wiste (T y nyste) whedir (TL whyder). ffor serwe þat in myn herte sit.D Sorwe was in myn herte so knytte TL Þe sorwe ȝut (L ȝette) at m. h. sit. "Bernard, hedde I honged him bi,DT But (T ffor) had þei (om. in D) hongid (T hanged) me (T my sone) him (T me) bi L Bot euery (!) I was him faste by. Sum-tyme my serwe hedde be pas.D Mi sorwe had ben in schortere spas L ffor any þat euere þer was T S. my sorwe myȝte pas. I stod and loked vppon hiȝ,L stoed. D lokid TL lokede. T op an. L hey. Wher heng my ioye and my solas,TL Where þat henge al my solas. Þe Iewes seiȝ me ful sori,D saw L seyen T made. TL om. ful; D þan. Þer as I stod in þe plas:D þei bad me leue wiþ sori gras TL & skornede(n) me boþe (om. in L) more & las. ffor þat I made sereweful cri,D But euerc I was him ful ny. T And for. TL om. þat. TL so reuful. Þei beede me schome and harde gras.D ffor al my care I folewid his tras. T beden L bede. TL shame. L grace. "ffaste I criȝede in my manere,T Mekel L Often D And often. DT cride L criede. DTL on. Ȝut ne was I not I-herd;DT But þer L Bot fer. DL om. ne; T no. L I was &. T noȝt L nought D noþing. DT herd. Þo I criȝede, he mihte meal. not here, Witnesse boþe of lewed and lered2 vv. om.: cf. D Wol febil I was, weping in fere, & of here vilenye aferd.; 'Merci!' I criȝede to my sone dere, 'Al-one þou leue[st] me in desert!' Þenne he bi-tok me til a fere And bad, I scholde not ben a-ferd.vv. 375-6 al. om.371-6 D & whan I cride þei (r. he) wold not here, My pyne witnessiþ lewid & lerid. I seyde 'Merci, my sone so dere, Alone þou leuist me in deserd.' Wol febil I was weping in fere, And of hire vilenye aferd. T ffeble y was & wep in fere, & of here velenye aferd. Þat y cride þeȝ (r. he) myȝte noȝt here, My pyne witnesseþ boþe lewed & lerd. 'Mercy, my sone, my fader dere, Alone þou leuest me in þis desert.' L 'Mercy, sone, my fader deore, Alone þou leueste me in deserte, Contforteles & of feble chere Ande of þe gewes vilanye aferde.' Bot þat I criede men myghte not here, Þerof bere witnes lewed & lerede. "Allas, Bernard, þat I scholde seTL om. þat. D schuld. Mi sone hongen bifore myal. naylid þorw hand & feete!DTL naylid þorw (T þorgh L þoruh) hand (TL honde) & fete (T fet). I seide: 'Sone, let me dye wiþ þe,DIT cride L Leoue. T lat. D deyen T deye. Er þen þou þi lyf for-lete!L Er þat DT Longe or (T er). D he his lyf. T forlet. Mi sone, my lord and al my gle,L om. sone. TD om. and, T in alle gle D myn herte gle. L gleo. Þou hast euere be Milde and swete:T Þat were euere meke. D hast ben boþe, euere om. L om. be. But þou haue pite now of me,DT mercy. TL om. now. DTL on. Þer may no mon my Bale bete.'

D Who myht ellis my b. b. L om. þer; TL noman. T bot.

After 384 DTL have the following stanza: Sone (L A, sone) þou hast ben fayr & hende (T hast euere ȝut ben h., L hast beon euere h.), & bletheli (L gladliche) don al (om. in TL) þat I (þe TL) bad; If (T And ȝif) þou leue (L leuest T loue) me at (L atte) swich an (TL om. sw. an) ende, Of sorwe schal I neuere ben (TL ne (om. in L) worþ y neuere) sad. fful (om. in TL) loth is deth þer he wile (L wole T wolde) lende (T sende), But (om. in L, T And) now wold I (L I wolde) of him (T of him y wolde) ben (T be L beo) glad, He ne may so sone his (TL a) spere sende (L me s.), Þat (om. in L) soner (TL raþer) I wolde þerof ben stad (TL þat y it had).

 "vv. 385-432, the discourse with Magdalen, added by the poet. It was taken up by the Charta Christi in MS. Reg. 17 CXVII.I criede: 'Maudeleyn, help now—DT cride. DTL Magdaleyn. DL helpe T help me. T nowe. Mi sone haþ loued ful wel þe:DTL haþ euere ȝet (L om. ȝet T ȝut euere haþ) louid the. Preie him þat I dye mow,MS. nowT And praye D And bidde. L to him. DT deye. D mow TL mowe. Þat I nout for-ȝeten be!TL y forȝeten (L forȝete) here noȝt (L ne). D forȝetin. L beo. Seost þow, Maudeleyn, now,DTL Magda|leyn (L Magdelyn) mylde (om. in TL) ne (om. in T) seest þou (T sestow L seostou) how. Mi sone is honged on a tre,T My lord. D hangiþ T deyeþ L dieþ. DL vpon. TL þe D ȝone. L treo. Ȝit alyue am I and þow,DT And ȝet (T ȝut). D on lyue L oliue T on kneo. T er y D I am. And þou ne preyest not for me!'D þat I myht deye þou preye for me. TL om. ne. T noȝt L nothinge. "Maudeleyn seide: 'I con no red,T Þo magdaleyne L þe Magdeleyn. DTL can. Care haþ smiten myn herte sore;DTL Sorwe. D smetin. T my. I stonde, I seo my lord neih ded,D Her I stonde T ȝis stand. DTL & se (L seo). D him. DT ner. And þi wepyng greueþ me more.MS. soreL om. And; D But T & ȝut. D greuiþ. DTL more. Cum wiþ me! I wol þe ledeDL Come T Kom. TL wiþ me lady (T lefdy). D & I schal. T wil L wile. T led. In to þe temple her be-fore.D Vnto a stede þou saw not ore. T Intil. TL a. Mial. þy Mournynge is boþe feble & fede,TD Þy. L om. boþe. TL faynt (feynte) & L fade T sed. ffor þou hast now I-wept ful ȝore.'399-400 D Þer may we morne wiþ|oute drede Stille oure loue as nouhte ne wore.TL weped (L wepen) now. "Ich askede þe Magdaleyn: 'wher is þat place,DTL I. D askid. L om. þe Magdaleyn; DT hire. DTL was. DTL plas. In pleyn, in valeye or in hille,TL playn. T om. in D valey L vale. L oþer. T on. D hil. [Þer] I mai me huyde for eny cas,DTL Þer (TL þat) I myhte ben (T by L beo). T fore. L any. Þat no serwe come me tille?T Þat me ne come no sorwe. DL sorwe. D ne come. He þat al my Ioye was,D Of him TL In him. Now deþ of hym wol don his wille;TL om. Now. DTL wiþ. T shel L shal D haþ. Con I me no beter solasD In no stede is my s. TL Wot y now (om. in L) no b. s. Þen for to wepe al my fille.'

D But. T wepyn L weopen. D euere al.

After 408 TL have the foll. stanza: I cride (L criede) to þe gewes ilkon (L echone): 'Why lat (L lete) ȝe me þus longe chyde? My voys (noyse) ȝe myȝte a-bate anon Longe er it were pas(s)ed tyde. I am a mayden (mayde), he is (& he) a man (mon): Why ne wille (L nile) ȝe hange (honge) me be his syde (him besyde. In L v. 3-4 & 5-6 are transp.). Þanne ȝe myȝte (L myghte ȝe) be (beo) awreke anon; Wherto wille (wole) ȝe lenger abyde?'

Then DTL the foll. stanza: I cride (on him D) 'Ihesu, sone (T sone ihesu) hende, Swete fader, me is wo (D what schal I do?), I may not bryng (TL bringe) the out of bende, Ne þou (L Ion) ne (om. in D) may (T myȝt) not (om. in T) come me (L þe) to, Ne þou wilt (L nilt) me no solas (T no solas wilt me) sende, Ne (TL Þe) Magdaleyn ne othere mo. Best (D And best) me were hom (L oute) to wende, But (T And) for sorwe I may not (TL y ne may (L I may note) for sorwe) go. In D v. 5-6 & 7-8 are transp.

 "Þe Maudeleyn cumfortede me þo,D om. þe. DTL Magdaleyn(e). D comfortid T confortide L confortede. To lede me þenne, heo seide, was best.D & seyde Go hom, þat were þe beste. TL hom inst. of þenne. TL she. T is. Care hedde smiten myn herte soD haþ smetin. Þat I miȝte neuere haue no rest.411-2 TL Bote (om. in L) wepynge dede (dide) me (MS. ne) wexe (L my body) wo, ffor sorwe ful neȝ my lyf was (L my lyf was ney) lest.D At hom schuld I fynde no r. 'Soster, whoderward þat I go,DTL I seyde to hir (T soster L sostren) whedir-so (T whider L whare) I go. Þe wo of hym is in my Brest;D Al my ioye now haue I leste TL Ne (om. in L) shel (Shal) I neuere take rest. While my sone hongeþ so,D Whil þat TL ffor. T þat h. D hongiþ T hangeþ L hengeþ. His peyne is in myn herte fest.D Care comiþ neuere out of my brest TL Sorwe (T þe s.) is smyten þorghe (þoruhe) my brest. "'I seihr. se my sone, [my] ffader dereD se L seo T saw. DTL my fader. Heiȝe hongen vp-on a tre;D Hie. T honge, D hange here. T oppon. D þis. L treo. I hedde blisse whon I him bere,D Wiþ-oute peyne I dide him bere. TL hadde. T whanne L þo. And now deþ for-doþ my gle:L om. And. DTL wile (T wil) deth fordon (TL fordo). L gleo. Scholde I leten him hongen hereDT How schuld (T myȝte). DL lete him T him lete. D hangen L honge. And lete my sone al-one be?DT & suffere (T soffren) him alone to be. L my child. beo. Maudeleyn, þenne vnkynde I were,D Ow Magdaleyn. DTL om. þenne. Ȝif he schulde honge & I schulde fle!D schuld TL sholde. DT hange L hongen. L om. schulde. "'Vnder þe Cros leuen I-schille1. chilleT crois. D beleuen T byleue. DTL I wille. And seo my sone hongen þer-on;DTL I inst. of And. DT se. DTL my flesch. D hongin T honge L hongeþ. Of siȝt I nedde neuere my fille,D Of þat sihte. T sich. T y hadde DL had(de) I. al. Whan I him saw on erthe gonWhon I loke[d] hym vppon.'D Whil. DTL I saw him (TL him saw (L seye)) on erthe gon. I bad hem gon wher was heore wille,L go. T whyder þeȝ wille. D þer w. Þe Maudeleyn and euerichon:DT Magda|leyn(e) L Magdeleyne. T euerilkon L hem ilkon. 'And my-seluen be-leuen I wole,r. wold leuen stilleTL And y my-self wil leue(n) stille D ffor I wold there beleue stille. ffor I nil fle for no mon.'"al. I wold not fle for Iewis non.DTL ffor om.; I wold (L nile) not (om. in TL) fle for Iewis (gewes) non. vv. 433—448 added by the poet.BErnard [seide]MS. my sone: "wordes swete Þe Maudeleyn also gon say;433-4 TL Bernard seide þe wordis (wordes) were swete, Þat þe magdaleyne þer (om. in L) gan (can) seye (say). D Than spak Bernard wordis swete, ffor Magdaleyn gan he say. Ladi, [heo seiȝ]MS. we sen þi serwe vn-meeteDTL om. Ladi; Sche (L Heo) saw (L sey) þi sorwe (L dedes weren) so (om. in L) vnmete. And fayn [heo] woldeMS. we wolden han it a-wayL om. And; D fful fayn T þat fayn. L heo wolde þi sorwe delay T sche was þe soþe to seye D schuld haue mad þe lay (crossed out; by a younger hand: wold sche an (?) had a way). And, deore ladi, þi bale toom. to beten;Here in D a leaf (f. 26) is wanting, with v. 437-512. T And fayn she wolde L & blethely lady. TL om. to; bete. But in riȝt resun was hisr. þi? way.L om. But. L resoun T skele. T hadde hy L he hadde. T no weye L no nay. Ladi, ȝif I dorste þe be-sechen,T Leuedy. L ȝou. L beseke T grete. To aske þe more I wolde þe pray.TD To wyte more. T ȝut wolde y. L ȝou. T preye. "Of angussche þou hast told me strong;1 v. om., cf. notes.TL Of þyn angwisch þou hast me told, Leuedy (Lauedy), as y may vnderstonde (2 vv.). Myn herte is not as Ich wolde,T My. T y L I. T wold. I ne may hit wiþ serwe fonge,r. fondeTL om. ne. wiþ no sorwe. T fonde L wonde. Andal. But what my lord siggen wolde,TL Bote. seye. T wold. To aske þe more nul I not wonde,L asken. L om. þe more. T om. more. T wil y L I wolde. T noȝt. Whon þe Iewes Breme and boldeT Whanne L Whan. TL gewes. T bold. Naylede him þorw feet and honde,TL Dryue(n) nailles þorgh (þoruh) his. Aftur þat Iudas hedde hym solde."This v. is superadded, to supply v. om.

om.

After 448 TL have the foll. stanza: And sithen (sithe) hangeden (hon|gede) him ful (L vpon) heȝe (heye), & crounede him (om. in T) wiþ thornes of tre (treo). Marie (L Lauedy), þou were him ful neȝe (neye), I wot it may non oþer be (beo). Al þe sorwe þat þou þer seȝe (seye), Swete leuedy (lauedy) tel þou me. Whanne (L While) þy sone þo (T þe) peynes (L peyne) dreȝe (L drye), What(e) wordis (wordes) seide he to þe (L þeo)?

 "BErnard, I haue told my þouȝt:T þe told L tolde þe. Wolt þou now ȝit aske me more?T What þynge wiltow aske L Wonder what wiltou a. L om. me. Be I forþere in tales brouȝt,L Beo. L it T þou. T ferþere. L tale T sorwe. TL y-broȝt. I-wis, þou greues me ful sore.TL greuest. Ac for þou hast me be-souȝt,TL Bote (om. in L) louely (Loueliche) þou hast. Bleþeliche I wol telle þe fore;transp. in T.L Ande fayn I wole þe telle f. T To wyte what his wordis wore. I wot, þow art in longyng brouȝt,T And now art þou. To witen wat his willeal. wordes wore.transp. in T.L wite . his wordes. T & fayn y wille þe telle more. "Whonal. Er þan my sone deþ scholde han,TL Er þan (L þat) he deyde (dyede) sone anon. Delful wordes wiþ him þer were:T Wel delful. L worde. TL om. þer. ffurst he seide: 'be-hold, wommon!'T fferst L ffirst. L womman. And siþen he seide: 'be-hold þou hereal. On Ion þy sone þat stondeþ h.!'TL On Ion (Iohn) þy cosyn (L sone) by þe (L þat stondeþ) here (L þere). And siþen he seide to seynt Ion:TL om. And. T Sethen L Siþe. 'Kep my moder leof and dere!'L þi. L leoue T lef. Me þouȝte myn herte al to-chonT ffor sorwe þoȝte myn herte þan. L þat myn h. chon (al to om.). Such wordes of hym for to here.T Swilk L Suche. TL om. for. "He bed Ion, as he was hende,L bad Iohn. Kepe me and ben al at my boneL Euere-more beo at my b. Whoderward I wolde hym sende, As him-self was wont to done.woned. 'Heþen,' he seide, 'I mot wende,He seide he myghte no lenger lende. Mi tyme neiȝeþ swiþe sone,His tyme neyghede. I may her no lengor lende,And saide þat he moste wende. I mot in to my fader trone.465-472 om. in T.On heye to his fader in throne. "'Moder, þe Bodi þat þou bere, In hard penaunce þou miht hit se,TL Is hard (om. in L) pyned as þou maist (L myghte) se (seo). [ffor] al Monkynde þat dede wereTL ffor al T man-kende L mankynde. ffrom deþ schal areysed be.TL Revsede (T Rysen) shulle (L sholde) to lyue be (beo). I seoal. seke a schep, þat was me dere,T seke L seche. TL is. Þat wiþ wronge was stolen from me:T was wiþ wronge. TL fro. I schal him bringe þer he was ere,T shel. L it; it. And of his þraldam make him fre.T þraldom. L it freo. "'Þe schep be-tokneþ al monkynde,TL þat. TL om. al. L mankynde T mannes k. Mi fader wolde þat hit weore souȝt;TL wile. be (L beo). Wiþ-owten me may no mon [hit] fynde,hit om. TL noman. ffor wiþ my blod hit mot be bouȝt.

T om. ffor. T moste. L beo.

In T the rest of the poem is wanting (last leaves torn out).

 I wol hit bringe to riȝte mynde,L I shal it seche & vnbynde. To my blisse her. hit mot be brouȝt,& into blisse it shal beo b. And þou [ne] schalt, moder, leue be-hynde:moder shalt, ne om. Swete Moder, ne wep þow nouȝt!Ac suete m. . ne om. weope. "'Þauȝ þou seo me hongen heiȝe, I prey þe, Moder, ne wep not sore; Al þe peyne, þou seost me drye, Hit is to saue mon þerfore. Betere hit is þat on dye Þen al Monkynde euer-more. So longe schal I not lye Þat I [ne] schal wel my deþ restore.'489-496 L reads instead: Moder, alone shaltou note beo, þauh þat I nouh wende þe fro. þou haste a sone shal loke þe. Iohn, þat for me now is ful wo. Loue him, moder, in charite, As þei he were þi sone also, And honure him as þou woldeste me, & weren þine children two. "Þus were his wordes loken in onL weren . one. Þat seint Ion scholde me loke.He bade Ion sholde. Þauȝ he were my kynnes-mon,kynnesman. Þerfore ich him [for] sone toke.L ffor my sone I him þere toke.ffor my sone I him þere toke. Such wordes he speke conÞe wordes þat he . gan. Þatr. ȝit? al my Ioye I þer for-soke.þat om. þere. Bernard, þow most þis wordes tanþese. And craftliche writen hem in boke!& craftily do write h. in a b. "Bernard, O þing dude me wo:Bot o thinge ȝet dide. He þursted, my sone, & gon to crie.I am thurste my sone gan crie. To ȝiuen him drinke þei þouȝte þo,ȝeuen . þei were thro. Þe Iewes ful of ffelenye:gewes . felonye. Eysel and Galle þei mengeden also,Aysel mengede wiþ galle also. Wiþ a sponge þei brouȝt hit an hiȝeIn . spounge . broughten . hit om. on heye. And wiþ a launce þei putte him to,And om. pitten. Þe Iewes ful of Ribaudye.DL I cride sone drinke it n. "IMS. þei criede to hym: 'ne drynk hit nouȝt!D Iewis L gewes. D for pyne to the it made. L on sk. it haue made. Þe Iewes on scorn hit [haue]MS. hedde. I-mad:D fful bitter to the thei it w. L of eysel. Hit is Eysel and Galle I-wrouȝt, Ȝif hit stynke, þou miȝt be sad.'D Þe stink to felin L To fele þe stynche. D ben L beo. Loueliche he meMS. he hedde me be-souȝt,D Wol loueli þan. DL om. hedde. L besoughte. Þat I scholde boþe be bliþe and glad:L And bad me beo bl. D schuld stilli make me glad. 'Þorw þis drynke Adam [is]MS. was bouȝt,L þoruhe D ffor wiþ. D drink. D Adam is L is Adam. I drynke hit as my ffader bad.

D þis drink is. L for.

After 520 L has these 2 stanzas: Þis coppe is of my fader assente, I drinke it, moder, be his reede; þauhe it beo bitter & ful of stynche, I drinke it for Adam-is deede. And sone after þis bitter drinche Now shal deye my manhede, Þe thridde day wiþ-oute blenche, I shal arise fro þe deede.—Þerfore wite wel to wisse, Þe thridde day I shal arise, Al hol & sound wiþ-outen misse, As gode & man in alle wise. Alle my freondes to mychel blisse Þat haue y-louede my seruise. Þerfore, moder, take som lisse, Þi weopinge doþ myn herte agrise.

 "'Þerfore I preye þe, Moder hende,D prey. Lef þi deol, ne wep no more!L Leef D leue. D þi cri L þis sorwe. DL & wepe (weop). L namore. And I schal to my ffader wendeDL To my fader I muste (L mote) w. And bring hem vp þat were for-lore.DL & bringe to him þat. D was. And after þe þen schal I sende:L om. And; D And setthe for. L þe moder. DL om. þen. DL I schal. But I mot, Moder, go bi-fore,D om. But; L Ac. DL Moder I muste (L mote). D gon. And after schalt þou wiþ me lendeD To ordeyne þer þou schalt l. L Þanne schaltou. L lenden. In Ioye and blisse for euer-more.'D ffor ioye & bl. schal euere ben thore. "ÞEnne þe Iewes ful of prideL Þus D Bernard. Two þeues þei hynge my sone bi;D ij L tweye. D theuys L theoues. L om. þei. D heng L hengen. DL him by. Þat on þat hengede bi his sydeDL On eueri (L eiþer) half his swete (L my sone) side. Criȝede to my sone Merci.DL Þat on began (L gan) to (om. in L) crien (L crie Ihesu) merci. Þat oþur onswerde in þat tyde:DL oþer. D answerid L answerede. 'He hongeþ herre þen þou or ID hangiþ L hangeþ. DL heyere. þan. On þe Croys wiþ woundes wyde,D Vpon. DL a cros. D woundis. To crie Merci, þow dost foly.'DL To askin (L bidden) him help. D it is. "Þat oþur seide: 'Mon, þow art wod,L He DL answerid man. D art þou. L woede. Þis ilke Monal. Ihesu [is dampned] þorw false red,DL lhesu is dampnid wiþ fals r. He haþ do noþing bote gode,D He dide neuere nouht but. D good L goed. He weore not worþi to be ded.L were D is. D ben L beo. Ihesu as þou art mylde of mode,D To Ihesu he seyde wiþ mylde mod. L Ihesu þat arte . moede. Whon þou comest to þi godhed,DL whan. D comist L arte comen. L into. Þorw vertu of þyn holy blodeD ffor. D blod L bloede. Þe riȝte wey þat þou me lede!'D To þi regne þe wey me lede. "Mi sone seide: 'Mon, þou art wys,D þan seyde his avys. L man. ffor þin askyng Blessed þou be!D ffor þi trouþe wel schal þou be. L beo. Þerfore I graunte þe paradys,L ffor-þi. Þis day þou schalt my Ioye i-se.'D To-day. L ioy. D se L seo. I stod and lokede in heore Vys,D lokid on hem iwis. L hem in þe vys. Þo þei hongedeal. How þei deyde vppon þe tre:DL How þei deyde (dieden). D on. L treo. Þat o þef wente to heuene-blis,D one soule; L on, þef om. L to paradis. Þat oþer gon to helle fle.D Þat oþer thef to helle gan. L gan. L fleo. "Þis was, Bernard, my grete solas,DL Bernard þis was to me gret (L a g.) s. Þat O þef so sone heuene won;L Þe theof (þat om.) D How sone þe thef. DL wan. Þenne wuste IMS. þei wel in heore cas,D þan L þanne. D wiste I L me thoughte. L om. wel. D be þat L in alle. Mi sone was studefastr. soþfast God and Mon.D Þat my s. D om. studefast; L sothfaste. DL man. And [as] I my-self stod in þe plas,D And as L As. DL om. myself. L stoede. D in þat. L place. Mi sone ful loude crie he con:DL om. ful. D crien. DL om. he. D began L gan. 'Heloy, heloy,' his criȝing was,L Hely hely. D crieng. 'Lamaȝabatani,' after þon."D he seyde inst. of after. DL þan. Þis is now, as ȝe mowe [se],MS. hereDL Þis was a word of gret pite. On Englisch to vnderstonde bi:D To vnderstonde englisch þer-bi. L In. vnderstande. "'ffader,' he seide, 'In Trinite,DL god inst. of he seide. D trenyte. Whi forsakest þou my Merci?D forsakist þou L forsakestou. D me whi? Hider I com þorw red of þe,DL Swete (om. in L) fadir, I prey to (L beseche) the To þe I take my soule an hiȝ.DL Take my soule fro my bodi. Wiþ wrong I dye vppon þe tre,D Þou wost wel þin schal it be L Þin it is siker þou beo. To fulfille þe propheci.' "al. DL.D Now is fulffillid L & fulffillede is. "vv. 569-592 added by the poet. MErci, ladi," seide Bernard,After 568 D (not L) has these 2 stanzas: Vnto helle his gost gan wende, As his faderis wil it was, To bring Adam out of bende, & for to bynde Sathanas. Sone þer com a lotheli fend, And sette him be my sonis fas, To take þe soule & to helle it sende, But no synne in his bodi was.—Þat sihte dide me werst of alle, ffor as ded I fel there doun; My susteris began aboute to falle Wepinge & made ruful soun. Iohn my cosyn gan me vp calle, And wold me lede toward þe toun. Now haue I told & brouht to stalle Þe peynes of his passioun. DL Seynt (om. in L) B. to (L þo to) Marie answerid (answerde). "Swete Moder, God ȝelde hit þe!DL Ladi (lauedy) blissid (y-blessede) mote þou be (beo). On Serterday,r. Scherthursday I haue herd,D Of. DL scherthursday. D now DL haue I. How he was went a-wei from þe,L taken awey D bounden & led (awei om.). DL fro. And on þe ffriday how he ferd,D & also of good f. DL it. Þer he hongede on þe tre.D Whan þe Iewis heng him on. L Swetely hastou kennede me. Al-how þe Iewes him bi-cherd,D But how L After-warde hou, D þi sone was L he was DL beried. Loueli ladi, lere þow me!D My swete l. L Dere l. D telle; L lete me nou seo. "And how he was after taken adoun,DL om. after. D takin doun. Tel me, Moder Marie Mylde,DL Telle. Marie modir. OfMS. On þe Crois aftur þe passioun,D Of L ffro. DL cros. DL after his. How þou weope for þi chylde2 vv. om.: L And Ioseph cam so redi-boun þe corps fro shame forto schildeD Þer þou were L & hou þo[u] weptest. After 581 DL read first: And (L & hou) Ioseph cam so (om. in L) redi & (om. in L) boun, D His bodi of þe cros doun to hilde L Þe corps fro shame forto shilde. And geete him wiþ þis (!)Orig. his orisounD Wiþ preyere and wiþ good resoun. L wan. his. Of Pilate and of þe Iewes wylde!DL ffro. D & fro þe L & þe. Þe holy lore of þis passioun ffrom þe fend hit may vs schilde.vv. 583-4 superadded.583-4 om. in DL. "1 v. om.: And how he was leyd in þe stonTel me, ladi briht and schene,DL And how he was leyd in þe ston, Telle me ladi (L marie) briht and schene (2 vv.). Wȝuche were þi frendes euerichonD & whiche. L weren. DL his frendis (freondes). Þat wolde at his buriing bene,D wold L wolden. D beryeng L beryinge. And how þou were saued from þi fonL om. And. D þou kepedist the L he kepte þe, D whan þei were gon L fro þi foon. In þe Temple, wiþ-outen wene;vv. 588-9 al. after 592.588-9 follow in DL after 591.D In t. fro þi sone I mene. L wiþoute. Þe serwe of þe and of seint IonL sorwe D wordis. Tel me, ladi, al be-dene,D I wold wite hem alle b. Of þi sone bodi and bon!"This v. superadded.om. in DL. Oure ladi seide: "Bernard, allas,DL Marie. L seide to D answerd. What woltou more aske me?DL Whi. L wiltou D woldist þou. D mor aske ȝet of. Tel I þe forþure of þis cas,D And I telle ferthere þis harde cas. L in. Þe swerd of deþ wol neiȝ me sle.DL of sorwe. D in myn herte wile be L wile me sle (neiȝ om.) Ioseph a-non nom his pasDL I. vnto (L to) Pilate tok his (L þe) pas. And bed his bodi vppon þe tre.L To bidde þe b. D To haue þe b. D doun of. Pilate him grauntede and Cayphas,L om. him; D it. D grauntid. Ȝif þat þei witen, þat he ded be.L Bote þat D As sone so. D wiste. D þat ded was he. L beo. 601-626 introduced by the poet."Pilate[s] kniȝtes steorne and stouteD Pilatis L Pilates. D knightis. DL sterne. fforþ wiþ Iosep gunne þei wende,D Ioseph. L gonne D gan. L om. þei. And oþure kniȝtes wiþ gret route,D other L oþere. D Iewis L gewes. D felle & proude. L a inst. of wiþ. Summe his fon and summe his frende.L Somme D ffele. D fos. D & fewe. ffurst þis kniȝtes wenten abouter. ffurst þei went þe þeues abouteD Þei ȝede þe theuis al aboute L ffirste þei ronnen þe theoues aboute. And bursten boþe Bak and lende;L breken D dide brek. D hire boþe lende L here backes & here lendes. [Bernard], þen was IMS. heo in gret doute,D Bernard I was þan L Þo was I bernarde. So han tor. to han? al. þei wold so serue serued my sone hende.DL Þei wold(e) so serue my s. so h. "I suwed after wiþ al my miht,D folewid L wente. Ion and my sustren two.D & also. L myne. D sisteris L sostren. Here now, Bernard, al apliht,DL Bernard þou schalt herin (heren) apliht. Þe strengeste pyneal. point of al my wo.D strengest. DL poynt. Be-syde þe Roode þen stod a kniȝt,D Among hem DL þer stod. Blynd he was and lome also,Blind illegible in L. DL lame. Alle þei seide Longeus he hiȝt:D Þei seyde alle Longius L Longeus seiþ þe boke. Vnder þe Roode þei dude him go.D Þei dide him vnder þe cros to go. L cros. maden. "Þei token him a launce goodD Þei putte a l. in his hand. And sette hit to my sone syde,al. 2 vv. more.L setten. D sonis. After 618 L And crieden on him as þei were wode, Shof vp þei seiden what so betide. D Þe Iewis on him were criand Put vp, Longius, now is þe tide. And Longeus þruste wiþ gret modD þorw hem was Longius wel willand. L om. And: L. shef wiþ egre m. To my sone herte gon glyde;D sonis. DL it gan. Þe water & þe rede blodD Blod & watir þer com rennand L Anon spronge oute water & blode. Ron doun of his woundes wyde.D Out of þat wounde þat was so wide L & ran doun enlonges be his side. 613-14 om. in DL here. After 624 DL have these 2 stanzas: Þan wax (L was) myn herte heuy so (L as) led, Whan (L ffor) I saw (seye) þat ruful (reuful) sihte, Þe (om. in L) watir wiþ þe (L & eke) blod so red, To Longius hand it ran doun rihte (L Ran oute of þe wounde aplighte). Doun I fel as I were ded, Lengere to stande (L stonde) had I no myht (cf. Vern. 623-4). Iohn my cosyn (my c. om. in L) comfort (counforte) me bed, & so dide (so d. om. in L) Ioseph, þat (L þe) trewe knyht.—Þe blod ran (L fel) doun to Longius hond (L londe), He wipid (L wipte) his eyen & wel he sey, L ffelde & wode water & londe, ffoul in firmamente on hey D þer is no creature in watir ne lond Þat myht suffre þe sorwe þat had I. DL On knes (L kneos) he þankid goddis (godes) sond(e), Toward heuene his heuyd (L hede) on hi (L he bey), Þat sihte my care (L of c.) mekil (L him) vnbond, So dide it (L & alle) my (L his) frendis þat were (weren) me (L him) bi. Doun I fel al þer I stod, No lengor stonde I ne miȝte þat tyde.623-4 superadded. "Þei weoreal. þe Iewis þan went to sire Pilate,DL þe Iewis þan (om. in L) wente(n) to P. And we bi-lafte wiþ reuthful rou[n].MS. ronDL lefte (lafte) þer. D ruful L reuful DL roun. Whon þei weore I-gon heore gate,D And whan. L weren. D were alle. DL gon. D hire L here. [I bad]MS. And Ioseph nimeMS. nome hym a-doun,DL I bad I. takin (L take) him doun. Til I hym hedde, me þhouȝte ful late,L him haue D haue him. D þinkiþ L thinkeþ. DL om. ful. Þe Iewes weoren alle ful feloun.D ffor alle þe Iewis þat ben f. L aren ful f. (alle om.). Ioseph seide to me wiþ þate:al. we ben þer-ateDL I. seyde we ben (beoþ) þer-ate. 'To bringe him þe we ben ful boun.'D to the. D I am. L beoþ. L om. ful. "Nichodemus þe nayles out drowȝ,D naylis. drow. And Ioseph nom him in his Arm;L Iosep. DL tok. Mi sone he louede wel I-nouȝ,D hem louid. inow. He tok hym doun wiþ-outen harm,D Þei L &. And nom him of þe heiȝe bouȝD ffayre & softe fro þat bow. L bar. fro. And leyde him softe in my Barm.D leyden. D om. softe; L gostly. His swete Mouþ on me hit louh,L Þe. D vpon L þat on. DL om. hit. D low. And ȝit ne was hit no-þing warm.DL & (om. in L) I it (om. in L) kiste, it (L & it) was not (L nothinge) w. After 640 DL have the foll. stanza: An hunderid (L hondrede) tymys (L siþe) I dide (L gan) him kisse, Mouth & eyren, his chin also (L Hede & mouth & eyen two), & seyde 'sone, schal I the mysse, Glad ne worth (L shal) I neuere mo (L go).' And loseph faste abouten (aboute) is (L wes), His graue to dihte & him þer-to (L þat he were in graue y-do), & euere (L oftesiþe) I preyde him (L I criede) iwis (L þus) To beryen (L Iosep berie) me wiþ him (w. h. om. in L) also. "His loue hedde bounde me so faste,DL om. hedde. L bonde D woundid. Þoal. þat wepen I moste in alle wyse.DL Þat. L wepe. D muste. D on al. Hit was euere in my [gast]MS. þouȝtD Nerþeles I trowid euere stedefast L My thoughte was myche on his beheste. Þe þridde day he scholde aryse—D thrid. þat he schuld vprise. Þe rihte be-leeue on me he caste,D riht. L beleoue D feyth. D in. D cast. And I Conceyuede þe rihte asyse;L c. it in alle wise. D As it was al his deuyse. Ich wuste ful wel atte lasteDL fful (om. in L) wel I wiste D it. D last. I schulde hym seo a-mong alle hise:D seen L seo. DL om. alle. "And ȝit miȝt I not for-bere,DL But I myhte. D neuere me f. Bernard, for to wepe sore;DL om. for. D swiþe s. L y-liche s. Myn hondes I wrong, myn her I tere,D hondis. D to wringe L wringe. DL to tere. Whon he lay ded me be-fore.DL Whil. D þer inst. of ded. I seiȝal. wene wel, I durste swere,LD I wene wel (D if) I. L dorste. D it s. Ȝif eny serwe In Angeles wore,MS. wereL any. DL sorwe. D aungelis L angels. DL wore. Þei miȝte wepe mony a tereL weope D a wept. DL many. ffor þe del þat Ial. þei seih þore.D om. þe. DL sorwe. DL þei saw (seye) thore. After 656 L has the foll. st.: Whan þei seye Ihesu þe hende, Ihesu þe swete, Ihesu þe meke, Suche sorwe drien at his ende, Godes sone & maries eke, & hou þei gonne to graue wende, Hou his moder to him speeke, Ande sorwe myghte in angels lende, Þei myghte weope þat here herte breeke.MS. þere "Siþen heuene was maad & erþe alsoD Setthe. L eorþe. And wommon formed aftur mon,D woman L womman. D formyd. DL man. More serwe ne more woD Was neuere ere swich sorwe ne wo L Was neuere made so myche wo. Neuere tonge telle conDL þat any tunge of (om. in L) telle can. Þen we maden whon we scholde goD om. þen; L As. D mad sorwe. DL þei. L gonne. To bere mi sone in to þe ston.DL toward. D his stan. Ion and my sustren twoL myne. D susteris L sostren. fful mony siþen þei swoune gon.DL Mony (Many) a tyme swownid þei (L we swounede) þan. "Euere I criȝede ful pitousliche:D Bernard L And faste. L om. ful. L pitouliche D pitousli. 'Lordynges, what haue ȝe I-þouȝt?L Mercy lordinges wh. is youre. DL om. I-. Hit is my sone I loue so muche,L Þis. L I l. him myche D I cri ȝow merci. ffor Godes loue, burie him nouȝt!'L ffor my loue D ffor charite. L berieþ D grauiþ. Þei nolde not leue, þeiȝ l gon siche,D Þei sparid no-þing for me sureli L ȝet þei ne sparede for al my shriche. Til þat he were in graue i-brouȝt;DL om. þat. D þei him to graue br. Þei wounden him in cloþes richeL &. D lappid L lappeden. D cloþis tendirli. And euer Merci [I] hemMS. him be-souȝt.D To leyen me there DL I hem. "Ioseph leide him in þe ston, Nichodemes halp him wel,D And N. had woundin h. wele. And riche oynemens leyde him vp-onDL om. And. D Oynementis ful swete. DL þei leyde (L leiden) h. on. And wounden him in clene sendel;D dihte. L om. him. D ful clene L a cloth of. D sendele. Heo seiȝ þer was no beter won,D Bernard, þer was non oþer w. L Þanne wepten we euerichone. Boteal. To burie him þei were ful snel.DL To berien. L om. ful. D snelle. Þen loked I on my Cosyn Ion,D þan, om. in L. L I lokede. ffor serwe boþe a-doun we fel.DL sorwe . doun. D felle. "Whon I stod vp and bi-held,L Þo I ros I him b. D Whan we st. vp for sorwe vnweld. In world I nuste what was best;DL om. In world. DL ne wiste. D me was. ffor gret serwe my fingres I feld,= foldedD ffingris to writhe none I ne felid. L om. gret. ffor wepyng miȝt I haue no rest:D Of w. koude. L Almest my lif was y-leste. Þe ouer-ston ouer him þei heold,L þat. DL faste inst. of ouer him. DL I D beheld L helde. Ioseph hit wolde in close fest,L And Ios. D wolde haue had it fest L wolde closen it faste. To him I fel þat was my child,DL om. To him; I fel betwix (L betwene) as a (L & was his) scheld. His swete Mouþ wel ofte I cust.D Til þat I his mouth had kest. L fol ofte . kiste. After 688 DL have the foll. stanza: I swownid (swounede) many a tyme wiþ-alle, Or (L Er) I of him myhte take my (om. in L) leue. Many a tere I lete doun falle, Þer (L þate) myhte no man it (om. in L) me bereue. I (L And) seyde 'sone, now (om. in L) gon I schalle, Now alle þi (L & oure) frendis schul the leue (L to-dreue). Come (L Com) now, deth, I wile (L gan) the calle, I wold þou myhtest myn herte cleue.' "Ion seiȝ I was in poynt to spille, In my bodi I was ful seke, Euere I stod In criȝyng schille, Þat neiȝ myn herte dude to-breke: He heold his serwe in herte stille And myldeliche gon he to me speke: 'Marie, ȝif hit beo þi wille, Go we henne!' þe Maudeleyn eke.689—696 DL Þan com (þ. c. om. in L) Iohn & (þe L) Magdaleyn eke, & (om. in L) saw (L Seyen) I was in poynt to spille. fful (om. in L) myldeli (Mildeliche) to me þei speke And held (helden) hire (here) sorwe in herte ful (om. in L) stille, But euere hem þouhte hire (here) hertis (hertes) breke, Þat þei durste not (L ne myghte) wepin (weope) hire (here) fille. Nerþeles (L Naþeles) to towne (L me to t.) þei (L þe) me (om. in L) wreke (L wreken), Mor wiþ strif (L be strengthe) þan wiþ (L at) my wille. "And whon we to toune come,L om. And. DL to þe cite. L comen. Þer as þe wey lay a-twynne,L Þat. DL om. as. DL oure weyes schuld L twynne D vntwynne. Vche mon leue at oþer nome,L Euerich at oþer leue n. D I & othere oure l. n. And wenten hom to heoreal. oure Inne.L & sithen wenten til. D wente. DL oure. Sore I sykede and I-lome,DL om. Sore; DL I swownid L ma[n]y a tyme & lome D often and whilome. Of wepyng miht I neuer blynne,D koude. To speke wiþ hemMS. hym [had I]MS. in no tomeD spekin to hem. DL had I no t. ffor serwe þat myn herte was Inne.DL sorwe. D in. "Þei ladde me to a Chaumbre þoD Iohn led. L In to a chambre he ladde me þo. Þer my sone was woned to be,D wonid. L beo. Ion and þe Maudeleyn also,D Magdaleyn & my susteris two. ffor no þing nolde þei from me fle.L nolde fro me (fle om.) D wold þei departen fro me. I lokede aboute in eueri wro,D Bernard L ffaste D I lokid aboute me tho L I l. in eche a wro. I couþe nouȝwhere my sone se,D But I c. L Coude I. D not. L seo. We set vs doun in serwe and woD setten vs L seten, vs om. D wiþ sori wo. And gunne to wepe alle þre.D gan L begonne. D wepin L weopen. L threo. "Þus, Bernard, we weren in care,D were we Bernard L B. were we. D in greet c. In serwe of herte & gret Mournyng,L & DL sorwe. L & in. L om. gret; D long. Til we wuste hou hit wolde fareD Til þat. DL wiste . schuld. At my sones vp-rysyng.al. Euer we were in greet longing.DL Euere we were (L Eche of vs was) in greet long|ing. 717-18 & 719-720 transp. in L. Nou haue I told þe wiþ-oute spareL om. þe. L wiþ-outen. Alle hisal. my peynes wiþ-outeat his partyng.L om. Alle. DL my. D peynys. D at his parting L of his departynge. Bernard, I was euer þare,D But B., L Ac B. D redi inst. of euer. L euere I was ȝare. To witen after his vp-rysyng."717-18 & 719-20 to be transp.L wayten him D kepin him. DL at. "Graunt Merci, dame, God ȝelde hit þe,D Seynt Bernard seyde God L Lauedy quod he G. L om. hit. Wyf and Maiden, Moder Milde,DL & moder & mayden. Þat þou hast so muche i-told meL om. þou. DL so mekil (L þus myche) hast. DL told. D to me. Of serwe of þe and of þi chylde!L Þe inst. of Of. D Of þi sorwe; of þe om. Now am I siker, wher þat I teo,D sekir. DL wher-so (L om. so) I be (beo). In wode, in water or in felde,D In toun or feld in ȝongþe or elde L In chirche in toun in fritthe in felde. To make þe foule fend to fleo,L fforto. D don. L om. foule. L feonde. D fle. Þat euer was so wod and wylde.D Þat euere to helle wold don me helde L Þat ȝore haþ beon wod & w. "Ladi, for þi muchele wo,D Now ladi for þat ilke wo Þat neuere no tonge may of telle,Þat no tunge may half telle Þe serwe of þe and him alsoD om. þe serwe: Of the & of þi sone also. Þat him dude þe Iewes felle:ȝow dide. Iewis. LeeueMS. And leeue vs neuere skape þer-fro,And om. Late neuere non of alle tho But euer-more In ioye to dwelle;Þat cristnid arn & in þis world dwelle, Whon we schul dye and henne go,Whan þei schul passen þe world al fro, Schilde vs from þe pyne of helle! Amen."729—736 om. in L.

To seen þe peyne þat is in helle.

After 736 D has 2 stanzas more: This ryme mad an hermyte, & dide it writen in parchemyn; Barfot he wente in gray habyte, He werid no cloth þat was of lyn. Þus on englisch he dide it write, He seyth he drow if of þe latyn; His mede lord Ihesu him quyte, & seynt Bernard, clerk of deuyn.—And we schul preye þat here it rede, ffor him now an orisoun, & don it smertlich in dede, Wiþ a ful good deuocioun, Þat Ihesu Crist his soule lede To blisse in his processioun, And there for to han his mede, Þorw vertu of his passioun Amen.—With the last stanza agrees the concluding st. in L: Eueriche wiþ goede deuocioun Grete wiþ an hertly steuene To oure lady an orisoun, Hire ioye may no tonge nempne: Þat for hire sones passioun Heo schilde vs fro þe sinnes seuene, & saue vs fro þe feonde feloun, & bringe oure soules into heuene. Amen.

 XXXVII. A dispitison bitwene a god man and þe deuel.Ed. before in Engl. Stud. VIII, p. 260—275. Swiþe muche neode hit is Þat vche mon be war and wys To kepe him from þe fendes lore— ffor he fondeþ euer-more. And þat we mowen alle I-witen As hit is in þe Bok I-writen, I wol ow telle, as I con, How þe fend tempteþ a Mon.— Hit was vppon an haly-day: In an heiȝ feste of þe ȝere;In the MS. written in half lines. Muche folk was to churche gon: Godes word for to here; Þe Preost of þe chirche vndude þe gospel And lerede his parischens, as he couþe wel, And bad hem openly nyme good ȝeme Hou þei scholden god wel queme And schenden þe foule fend of helle, Þat fondeþ euere iliche monnus soule to qwelle. Whon þe prest hedde I-spoken & don what he wolde, Þe folk wente hamward, as riȝt was þei scholde. A good mon þer was, þat hamward gon rake, And þouȝte ful ȝeorne of þat þe prest spake; He eode be him one wiþ-oute fere ȝerne, ffor no-mon of his þenkyng schulde hym werne. ÞE wikked fend of helle þerof hedde onde And hastiliche sende to him his sonde. His Messager redi was forte don his wille, Him to bi-swyke, queynteliche & stille. In þe wei he hym mette And feire þenne he hym grette— Was he no fend i-lyche, But as a mon feir and riche; Þe gode Mon was not war Of þe deuel, þat com þar. Quaþ þe wikked Counseyler: "ffelawe, wel I-met her! Sei me, as nou mote þou þe, Wher hast þow now I-be?" "I com from þe chirche, what woldestou þer-bi? What þou art & whi þou askest, tel me nou, belamy!" "I am a ferren mon and a wey-feryng,From here the poem is extant in MS. Simeon. Spek wiþ me feire, wiþ-outen grucchyng! Hastou atte churche I-herd eny sarmoun, Vndoynge of þe gospel or of lessoun? I preyȝe þe, gode felawe, ȝif þi wille be, Al þat þou herdest, tel hit nou to me! ffor I con my-self, beo my lewete, Of alle-maner lore gret plente. I con wel I-knowe, I sei þe, for-þi, Wher hit were wisdam þat he spac, or elles foli. Wys þow schalt fynde me and hende; ffor, ȝif he out fals haþ seid, I schal hit amende. Þauh þow to me haue no trist, I con more þen þe prest, And better I wot, forsoþe I-wys, How men schulen come to blis, And also more I con telle Wherfore Men schule go to helle." ÞE goode mon bigon his tale : þat oþur ȝerne con luste; Al couþe he not telle : But dude þat he wuste. "Ouer alle þing he vs tauhte : To loue god, ful of miht, And siþen vre euencristene : As we ouȝten wiþ riht. He spac of dedli synnes : And seide þer weore seuene, And whose dyede þer-Inne : Scholde neuere comen in heuene: Pruide is þe furste : Envye is þat oþer, Wraþþe is þe þridde : Þat mon haþ to his broþer, Þe feorþe is Couetyse : Þe fyfþe is Lecherie, Þe sixte is Sleuþe : Þe seueþe is Glotonye. Mest he spac of pride, and lered more and lasse fforto leue pride and loue Buxumnesse; ffurst, abouen alle þing, wiþ al vre miht Worschipen & louen god, boþe day & niht, And louen vre kunrede, as þe lawe wile, And alle cristene men, as hit is skile. ffor alle we schulen wiþ riȝte louen vchon oþur Wiþ al vre miȝte, as suster doþ þe broþur; ffor breþeren we aren & sustren, as we schul al leue, Alle þat euere icome ben of Adam & of Eue." ÞE wikked gostMS. god was ful ȝare And ȝaf þe gode mon onsware: "Þow spekest," he seide, "of louyng, Þat mon schulde furst of alle þing; Þat loue god schal eueri mon, And siþen his neihȝebor, as he con. Bote hou miȝtest þou trewe loue Haue to him þat is aboue, Whon he so ofte wraþþeþ þe And let þe in muche myschef be? He let þi catel from þe falle, Hors in stable and Oxe in stalle, And oþer þing awey let go, And suffreþ þe be brouȝt in muche wo. Ȝif þou art sek in syde and Ribbe, Þat vnneþes maiȝt þou libbe, Or þin hed sore akeþ And al þi bodi for serwe quakeþ, Þorw him þe comeþ al þis. Loue him not, I rede, I-wis! Hou miȝtest þou loue him wiþ skile Þat miȝte þe helpe and ne wile?" ÞE goode mon wel vnderstod Þat he seide was not good. "After þi red wol I not do, ffor þe prest ne bad not so. I wot of alle þing, be hit what-so hit be, Boþe beter & wors, my lord sendeþ to me. Þauh I oþur-while haue I-had wo, Þorw god þat hit sende hit haþ ouer-go; Hit was for my gode—þonked be he— He wolde þat I scholde bi þat I-war be. Þauȝ he me be-reue anon to my Ribbe, Þat I haue vnneþe wher-wiþ to libbe, Ne wol I not be wroþ þerfore, ne no riȝt hit nis: ffor al þat I haue, al hit is of his; Al þat I haue, he leneþ me, I-wis, He mai taken hit aȝeyn, whon his wille is. So he haþ don ful ofte—I-blessed mot he be— And ȝaf me wel more þen he birafte me. And þauȝ he of-pyne me in seknesse sore, Hit is for my gode, I loue him þe more; Þer-wiþ he me warneþ his comaundement to breke, And sent me such teone him for to wreke;r. reke I mai þen amende me of þat I haue don ille, And beeten þat I haue agult aȝein godes wille. Þreo þinges þer beþ, as I haue herd telle, Seide me þe prest in his lore-spelle, ffor whom I ouȝte loue Ihesu ful of miȝte,r. mahte And worschipe him as I con, as me wel iȝte:r. ahte Þe furste þing of þe þre, is þat he me wrouȝte After him-self, as hym best þouȝte; Þat oþur, þat he bouȝte me on þe swete Rode Wiþ his oune flesch & wiþ his oune blode; Þe þridde, þat he cleped me to his oune feste In to þe blisse of heuene, þat euer schal i-leste. ffor on of þise I ouȝte to louen him wel apliȝt, Betere I ouȝte for alle, & þat is good riȝt." ÞE wikkede gost onswerde þo: "Lete we þis tale go, Leue we þis disputyng And speke we of oþur þing. Þow spekest aȝeyn pruide And þer-of takest muche hyde.r. hede Aȝeyn þe riȝte is þat þou says, And þerfore me mis-pays. Þou seist þe prest, þat syngeþ Messe, Lered þe to Boxumnesse; He was wod, so art þou ek, And alle þo þat so spek. Leef þou nouȝt þat hit be soþ! Hit nis no-mon þat so doþ. I sigge þat pruide nis no synne: ffor þer-þorwȝ comeþ worldes wynne. Þat maiȝt þou witen, I-wis, Whon þou wost what hit is. Ȝif þou be knowen for wys And holden art of muche prys And þat þou art riche mon and wlouȝ And of richesse hast inouh: Þauȝ þou lyȝe, as mony mon doþ, Men wolleþ wene þat hit be soþ, And clepe þe forþ for heore euenyng, Bi-foren hem þat habbeþ no-þing. Ȝif þou art proud and Modi And berest þe bold and hardi, Men þat stondeþ þe aboute Þenne of þe wolen haue gret doute, Wiþ þe wolen þei comen and speke, Þi loue to haue and hem to wreke.r. reke Þou mayȝt for þi bolde beryng Be proud & riche in alle þing, And ouur-al maiȝt þou comen and go, Whon a Moppe dasart schal not so; As a lord schalt þou be cald, Þer oþure schul stonde be-hynde vn-bald, And oueral þer þou gost aboute Þe schal folewe ful gret route; Of þe schal vche mon stonde gret eiȝe, Wher þou wolt, þou miȝt go pleye. Do nou as I haue I-counseyled þe: Proud & stout euer þat þou be! ffor ȝif þou drawe þe to cumpaigny Of pore wrecches þat wone þe by, Vche a Mon þat beo þe wey goþ Of hem schalt þou be swiþe loþ, And alle wolle þei ful ȝare Lauhwhe þe to bisemare And sigge: "lo, Men mowe wel se What Mon þat he þenkeþ to be! A wrecche sone wol he ben, To wrecches he draweþ, as alle men sen; Wel Men may seo alle bi þan Þat neuer-more wol he beo man." ÞE gode Mon vnderstod Þat þat þe toþur seide was not good. "Do wei," he seide, "þi lore : Ne spek no more of pryde: Hit doþ þe soule muche wo : And helpeþ þe bodi luyte. Whon I þenke on þinges þre : Boþe niht and day Pruide ne worldes blisse : Glade me ne may. ffurst, whon I beo-þenke me : And am wel I-ware How I com in to þis world : Boþe naked and bare; Nedde I to myn hed houue ne hod, Ne Robe to my bac, badde ne good, But a foul red clout, þat I was boren In, Þat tok I of my Moder, and was a foul skyn— Al is soþ þat I seye, þeiȝ I speke in Rym— Þei coruen hit of me & wosch awei mi slym. In to þis world þus com I wrecched & bare, And so, wot I wel, I schal heþen fare. Þei wounden me in cloutes, for cold & for schame, ffor I ne scholde forfare, þei hulede mi licame. Al-Maner quik þing þat is þorw Godes miht, Whon hit comeþ furst forþ, con him-self diht, Haþ of him-self kyndeliche wede, And con him-self purchase mete to his nede, And haþ þorw kynde miȝt for to gon, Þer kynde of mon haþ riȝt non, Bute vn-miȝti wrecches alle are we. Hou scholde I be proud, whon I þis se? Þat oþur is, whon I þenke on Adam and Eue, Hou þei weren in paradys wel & wiþ leue; Þer wiþ-outen synne þei miȝte haue ben in blis, Ȝif þei nedden agult aȝeyn god, i-wis; Þer þei miȝten han I-wonet in murþe & in wynne: But sone þei were driuen out, for þei dide sinne. And þerfore ha we muche wo, serwe & vuel-fare, And wonen in þis middel-ert in serwe & in care. Weilawei & weilawo, þat synne was I-wrouȝt! In muche peyne for sinne are mony men I-brouȝt; Alle wo & seknes þat eny mon is Inne, Al is, for he haþ i-greuet ofte god wiþ synne. Þer is in þis world muche falshede, Þer is no treuþe wel neiȝ, in word ne in dede, Þe sone be-gileþ þe fader, þe douȝtur þe moder, Þe sibbe þe frende, vche mon oþer. Nis no worldes blisse þat nul ouur-go, Ne nout nor. so murie on eorþe þat nis meynt wiþ wo. But þe blisse of paradys, þat lasteþ euer-more, Whon I þenke þeron, me longeþ þider sore. Hou scholde I þenne be proud for eny þing, Or eny oþer mon, þat is in longyng? ÞE þridde þing is þat I þenke, þat I schal wende henne Out of þis world, but wot I neuer whenne, Ne wot I whodur mi soule schal. þerfore sore i drede: ffor aftur mi werkes are, schal hit haue mede; Riht as I haue deseruet, þe weole or þe wo Certeinliche schal I haue, i mai not fle þer-fro. Beo I in mi put leid, þer wormus schul eten me, Worþe to nouȝt schal I þenne, as neuer hedde I be; Þe her of myn hed, ȝeleuȝ so þe wex, Schal dwynen a-wey so doþ þe drex, Mi feire eȝen schulen out renne, Mi white teþ schulen foule grenne, Mi feire hondes and fingres longe Schul rote & stynke swiþe stronge. Men wol for mi good make striuyng And puyte me out of al my þing. Þulke þat weren I-wont ofte me to grete, Þei wol not her þonkes wiþ me meete. Alle þe frendes þat I now haue, ffor me gladliche wol þei don al þat I craue; Weore I in mi graue, out of heore siht, Luite wolde þei for me do, be dai or be niȝt. Nedde I neuere so muche good, al hit wolde go, Whon mi soule & mi bodi ar parted a-two. Mi bodi schal leuen her, mi soule faren henne, Al þe worldes pride luitel helpeþ þenne. ViterdeMS. Vtterde? Sim. Vitrede, ef. fytered, Mirk Instr. v. 1146. hodes and Clokes also, Al þat vile pride schal don hem ful wo; Þei struye godes good þer-wiþ : And torne hit to fen, Þat muche mihte helpe : Sely pore men. Now is non worþ a fart, But he bere a baselart I-honget bi his syde, And a swynes Mawe, & al is for pride. Godus grame, stirap on his cappe is knit, Þat an vnche haþ he not on for to sit; Muche meschef and gret colde : On his hers he has, Men miȝte, ȝif his brech weore to-tore : Seon his genitras. And also þis wymmen : Þat muchel haunteþ pride, Wiþ hornes on heore hed : Pinned on vch a syde, Maad of an old hat : And of a luytel tre, Wiþ selk scleyres I-set aboue : Apparisaunt to be; Heore Reuersede gydes : On hem are streyt drawe— But al be of þe newe aget= get fashion : Hit is not worþ an hawe. Þei wenen a ben ful feire : And wonder foul þei be; And a wolden be-þenken hem : Of heore priuete And hou foule þei are : In soule and in bodi, Þei ouȝte wiþ heore wepyng : Make heore chekes rodi. But þei leue pride, & oþur synnes mo, Schortly to telle, to helle schul þei go. Whon I þenke her-vppon : Mi care is wel þe more; Luytel wonder is hit : Þauh I sike sore. Hou scholde I be proud or elles modi? Alle ouȝte we to be for synne sori.— Ȝit þou counseildest me a luytel while ere Þat I scholde not be pore mennes fere; Þou seidest I scholde ben holden an vn-mon. No-mon wol sigge so þat eny good con. Þauȝ I & a pore Mon, þat beggeþ his fode, Be not I-liche riche of þe worldes gode, Men mai seo þe soþe & þe skile riȝt Hou we schule bitwene vs vre loue diȝt: Ȝif I do mi cloþus of anon to my liche Þat I am icloþed in, þat beþ gode & riche, And a pore beggere, þat haþ muche wo, Wiþ cloutede cloþes dude also, And we stode naked boþen I-fere: Boþe miȝte we þenne ben oþures pere; Hose vs seȝe and knewe vs neyþer, Þenne miȝt þei wene þat we were breþer. Þenne most I louen him, and he louen me, Whon vre kynde robes beþ of o ble: Þo are þe Robes we were wiþ I-bore— Ar we liggen & rote, ne worþ þei to-tore; Let us be lyk in sum þing, as wel I wot we are, Al-þauȝ I be riche, & he pore & bare." ÞE wikked gost onswerde þo And bad let þat tale go, "Lete we þis dispuytyng And speke we of anoþer þing. Þou spekest & seist þe prest haþ forbode Wraþþe & onde, þorw biddyng of gode. Hit was neuer forbode of no wys mon, But of sum folte,cf. folted, v. 606. O. Fr. folet, foolish. þat no good ne con. Ȝif þou sest þi broþur or þi kun or a-noþur Þat he be feiror þen þou be, or wisor þen þou ouþur, Or ricchor or baldor or be of beter i-told: Þauȝ þin herte be wo & of-þinke þat hit is so,vv. 326-7 in the MS. one verse. Who mihte þe blame? Wel miȝt þou þenne þinke schame And vuel may hit þe like Þat he schal be so heiȝ: And þou not so riche."In MS. 2 vv. ÞE gode mon wel vnderstod Þat þat þe toþur seide was not good. "Aftur þi counseil wol I not do, ffor þe prest seide not so. No mon haþ so muche good : Þat I wolder. nolde he hedde more, Ne so feir ne so strong ne so wys of lore, Hit of-þuncheþ me nouht : Ne þer-to haue I non onde, ffor al þe godes þat mon haþ : Is of godes sonde. God, þorw whom comeþ alle þing : Con ful good skile, Alle worldes winne : He sendeþ, whonr. whom he wile. Whi scholde I for monnes god haue sorinesse, Whon I haue for him neuer þe lesse? God deleþ his dole : To pore and to riche, And ȝiueþ wit and auhte : But not alle I-lyche. Whon he haþ I-ȝiuen his þing : As Ichaue I-seyd, Vche mon of his del : Schulde holde him paid; No mon schulde grucchen : Of oþeres wel-fare, And ȝif he doþ, for soþe : He mispayeþ god þare. ffor god wol ȝiue : To whom his wille is. Whose haþ envye þer-to : ffor soþe, he nis not wys." ÞE false schrewe onswerde þore And bad hym sigge so nomore. "Þou spekest of wraþþe in þi tale And seist hit is aȝeyn soule-hale. Þat is not soþ, but falshede; Wraþþe was neuere synful dede. Ȝif eny mon a-gult aȝeynes þe, Smyteþ or elles puiteþ þe, Oþer seiþ þat þe is him loþ: Ne most þou þenne nedes be wroþ? Ȝif Mon mis-seiþ þe or deþ þe schame: Ȝif þou be wroþ, ho schal þe blame? As he doþ bi þe, niȝt and day, Quit him wel, ȝif þat þou may; Ȝif þou mowe, worse; in eny wyse Loke þou ȝelde him his seruyse; Ȝif þou forberest O bisemare, He wol ȝiue þe two ful ȝare. Aȝeyn o word sei þou two And mak him wroþ, ar þou go, And spek wiþ hym baldeliche And mis-seye hym schomefulliche! Ȝif eny Mon þe mis-deþ, Smyt þyn hond vnder his teþ, Wiþ Swerd, Knyf, Staf or Ston Lei on faste, and þat anon, And bet him wel wiþ þe beste, Þat his teþ al to-breste; Or on þe hed ponne hard, Þat he go wryȝinge þenneward. Ȝif he is strong or of miht heiȝ, Þat þou ne miht comen hym neiȝ, Tac þe felawes þe by-syde: Þe hardiloker maiȝt þou abyde, And go sech him be wei and strete, Stint þou nouȝt til þou him mete, Lei on faste, spare no-þing, To grounde sone þou him bryng, Þat he þerfore grunte and grone; And warne al oþere bi him one! Þen may þi word springe ariht Þat þou art hardi mon and wiht; Alle men of þe þenne schule be fert Þat bifore wolde mis-seye þe in þi bert; Þenne miȝt þou go boþe quit and sker Wher þou wolt, fer and neer." ÞE goode mon wel vnderstood Þat his counseil was not good. "Ȝif I be wroþ and sore agreued Wiþ eny Mon alyue, Ich ouȝte seche pees of hym : fful hastiliche and blyue. Mi Pater noster ne my crede : Ne myn Aue Marie biddynge, Whyle ich am in wraþþe : Avayleþ me no-þhynge. Ȝif Mon be wroþ, hym is þe wors : And þat on mony syde— Þat schul ȝe wite þat hit is soþ : Ȝif ȝe wolleþ abyde: Wraþþe and vuel wordes : Old sore neweþ, And makeþ to do þe dede : Þat eft ful sore reweþ. Wraþþe is a wikked þing : Hit mengeþ þe herte blod And makeþ mon ofte out of wit : Þat he con no good, Her. Hit makeþ mon ofte do þe dede : Þat eft torneþ to grame, Bete Men and ofte sle : And do ful muche schame, Wounde men and berne men : Robben and to-reuen; And euere are þei in serwe and wo : A-Morwen and at Euen. Whon he is wel a-wreken : Aftur his wille, Þen he is wel apayed : And goþ forþ wel stille, He weneþ to here þer-of : No more tiþinge: Bote þe synne þer-after : Schal him to schome brynge; Ne schal he him no-wyse : So wel him schilde,r. hyde? Þat he (!) ne schal for þe synne : Sum schome be-tyde, But hit beo þorw schrift : And þe prestes rede Þat þe synne be bet : And a-Mended þe deede. Þe heiȝe kyng of heuene : Is riȝtful Iustise, Alle folk schal he deme : Boþe foles and wyse; He haþ set his lawes— : No-Mon scholde hem breke, Þat no-mon in his wraþþe : Scholde him-self wreke.— Ȝit on oþur wyse ofte mon is wroþ And seiþ to his broþur þing þat him is loþ. Þe wysore of hem two : Þen schal holde him stille And suffre þe more fol : Siggen al his wille. ffor he þat chydeþ al-one : Hit wol sone awey fare, Hit wol not longe lasten : Wiþ-outen onsware; Whon he haþ al seid : Þat he sigge wile, He wol ben in pes : And cunne þe more skile, And [bid]om. for-ȝiuen his wraþþe : Þauȝ þei duden ille, And connen his felawe more þonk : ffor he heold him stille. Ȝif eny wikked wordes or dedes : Bi-fore weren I|wrouht, Þei schul þenne þorw wraþþe : Ben al out I-brouht; Al þe worste þat þei cunne : Þenne wol þei speke, And dele grete strokes : ffor to ben a-wreke. Her-of is I-writen a word þat is couþ: 'He kepeþ a feir castel þat kepeþ wel his Mouþ.' " ÞE wikked schrewe onswerde þon Þus to þe gode mon: "Ne forbed he neuere : Þat I þe plihte, Mon to be riche : Ȝif he miht: Hou miȝte men on e[n]y wyse Be riche wiþ-outen couetyse? Þe riche Mon, wher he is, Holden is boþe ȝep and wys, fforþ I-cald and muchel of told, ffor he haþ good mony-fold; He is holden of muche pris, And al for good þat is his. Þe pore Mon al þat schal misse; Haþ he non such worldes blisse; His Meeles are ofte lene— Luitel hit helpeþ, þauȝ he him mene— His Robes are badde and þinne, Luitel he haþ of worldes wynne. Purueye þe wel on vche a syde, Þat such teone þe ne be-tyde! Ȝif þou ne const, I wol þe teche Hou þou schalt good to þe reche And riche mon bi-come and wlouh And haue of alle goodes I-nouh, And wiþ-outen eny synne Geten I-nouȝ of worldes wynne. Beo peny pound bi-twene two Þou maiȝt gedere mo and mo, Al wiþ queyntise and wiþ ginne Muche good maiȝt þou wynne. Slep þou nouȝt to muche a-niht, But win þe good, hou þou miht; Ren a-boute bi þe strete, Bi wey and bi weonlete; Ȝif þou seost in eny wyse Wher eny bi-ȝete wol aryse, Tac sum, and lef I-nouh— Þouȝ þou do so, hit nis no wouh; Haue þou no doute, I rede, of þas, No mon wot ho hit was. Þauh Mon make muche fare, Þer-of haue þou no care, Ne dred no-þing þe prestes curs— Þerfore þou schalt neuere be þe wors. Ne spare non, þer þou gest, Nouþer þe parsun ne þe prest; Tac þe part of heore tyþinge And bere hit hom to þi wonynge. And so þou miȝt muche good take And be riche monnes make. Whon þou hast þus wel bi-gonne And muche good hast I-wonne, Þat þou hast, kep hit wel, Þerof ȝif þou neuer a del; But men bringe two for on, Ȝiue hem not, but let hem gon! Þer wol come to þin hous Mony on ful coueytous, ffor to haue of þi þinge, To bere a-wei, and nouȝt to brynge:— So wole þei don eft-sone; Let hem gon riht as þei come; Let hem seche heor owne biȝete As þou dudest, or elles lete; Let hem fare neer and ferre And for þe neuer be þe nerre!" ÞE gode mon wel vnderstod Þat at oþur seide was not good. "Couetyse is not good : ffor hit is forbode, So seiþ þe prest on his bok : Þorw biddyng of gode. Men mowe wel be riche : Whose hit may wynne Wiþ rihte & wiþ treuþe : And wiþ-outen synne; Wiþ trewe craft and Marchaundise : Wel wynnen he may, But Robbe ne to-reue : Nouþer niht ne day. Mony on wiþ falsnesse : And wiþ Oker also Haþ so muche good : Þat he not wher hit do; Þat may ben here his heuene— : At his endynge In to þe put of helle : Sone hit wole hym bringe. Ȝif Mon haþ eny þing : Bi-gete wiþ trewenesse Of worldliche good : More oþer lesse, Tac to his nedfulnesse : Þer-of what he wile, And do to holi chirche : Þat riht wole and skile: Of al þat neweþ him be ȝere : Do his tiþinge, And foure tyme in þe ȝere : Ȝif his Offringe; Þe pore schal he helpe : Also, þat haþ nede, Ȝif hem mete and drinke : And cloþe hem wiþ wede. Hose wol not tiþe : Þat god him haþ I-lent, His lyf and his soule : Boþe schul be schent; He schal for þe synne : Haue Godes curs, And eke alle his goodes : Schul fare wel þe wors; His godes schulen at-falle : And faste a-wey go, And for þat ilke synne : Mony on haueþ wo. Þat is in toune and felde : Seene, sikerli, Þat fewe aren in londe : Þat liuen rihtfuli: Þe eorþe ȝeldeþ not fruit : As hit wont was, Of Corn of þe feld : Ne of þe Medewe Gras, Ne non oþer-cunne fruit : Þe folk for to frore— I-wis, hit is for synne : Þat mony Mon is pore.— Haue þou neuer so muche : Of worldes good here, Al schal passen a-wey : As fantum hit were. ffor to haue þin herte : To muche þer-Inne, Of þi mok to make þi god : Hit is dedly synne. And ȝit, ar þow war be : ffrom þe wol hit fare, Þenne schalt þou haue þerfore : Boþe serwe and care, And ȝit at þin ende : Gret stryf in cas, And puite þe out : Of al þat þin was; Þin Executours schul take : Þi goodes at heore wille And lete þi soule ligge : In pyne ful stille. Beo þou in þi put i-brouȝt : Wormes schul eten þe, And sone schalt þou be for-ȝeten : Siker mayȝt þou be. Þerfore I rede, as Salamon his sone bad, Þat vche Mon skilfuli of his god mak him glad, Mete and drynke and cloþ : Catel and oþer þyng Þat nedful is to haue : Wiþ-outen wastyng; Þe pore schal he helpe : Wher þat is nede, Of þat god haþ him sent : Don his Almes-dede, Ȝif him mete and drynk : And cloþe him wiþ wede— In al þi werkes, be þer. þou syker : Þe better schalt þou spede; Ȝif him of þi Cuppe : Of þat is þer-in, Water to drynke : Ale oþer Wyn; And ȝif he haþ nede : Clepe him þe neer And make him sitte & warme him : Bi þyn hote fuyr; Bedde hym esyliche : Ȝif þat he seek be, And serue him wel, for his loue : Þat al haþ ȝeuen þe. Worldes wele is wonderful : Wel may I seyn, Lyk þe se þat floweþ : And ebbeþ a-ȝeyn; Þer nis no sikernesse : In þis worldes won, No-mon not whon hit wole : A-wei from him gon, Ne how longe hit wol laste : Ne how luytel while— Þulke þat hit loueþ most : Ofte hit doþ hem gyle. He þat loueþ catel wel : And bounden is in Couetyse, He schal ben I-bounden : In þreo-kynne wyse: Þouȝt and drede are þe two : Þat schul bynden hym faste, Þe þridde is muche serwe : Þat euermore schal laste. Ofte for his catel : Mon moot wake of slepe, Trauaylen in reyn and in snowh : Beo þe weyes neuer so depe, ffrom toune to toune : Boþe fer and neer, As Chapmen mote don : To heore mesteer; Ouer þe salte séé ofte þei fare ffor heor Marchaundise, in gret peril and care, And ofte and mony a tyme : [leseþ]MS. heore Catel and heore lyf And makeþ vuel to fare : Boþe Chyld and Wyf. Oþer Men dyke and delue : And gon to þe plouh, To Cart and to þreschynge : And oþur swynk I-nouh. Whon he wiþ his swynk : Haþ wonne gret be-ȝete, Euere he is afert : Þat he schal hit forleete; And ȝif he hit leten schal : Hym is wo þerfore, And is so sori þenne : þat euer was he bore. Þouȝt and drede & sorinesse : Aren Monnes fo— He ouȝte neuere loue : Þing þat doþ hym so wo. Ȝif he leose eny þing : And he gret good con, Beo-þenk hym of Iob : Þat was a good mon: He hedde of alle richesses : Swiþe muche won And in a luytel while : He nedde riht non; Þo he hedde riht nouȝt : But al was a-go, Ne seide he for his harm : Enes 'me is wo,' But louede= praised God wel : And þonkede hym þon— He dude as þe wyse : So schulde eueri mon;— Nolde he not for his los : Noþing sori be, 'God,' he seide, 'hit me ȝaf : And bi-raft hit me;' Ne grucched he nouȝt, but þonked godes sonde And seide 'blesset be his nome, in water & in londe.' " ÞE wikked gost onswerde þon And seide þat he was a folted mon. "Þou spekest of Lecherie And of fewe wordes makest monye; ffalse wordes wolt þou leeue & here hem gladli— Þou nost what þou menest, i sigge þe sikerli! Of luytel wit hastou Mynde: Ne mot a Mon don his kynde? Hit was ordeynd þorw Godes biddyng At þe worldes be-gynnyng. Beo þi tale þow woldest hit bringe Al to-gedere in to spousynge Or elles leue þat game, Þat me nedde of God blame. Whose aftur þi counseil doþ, Repente him schal, I sei for soþ: He þat takeþ hym to spousyng, Mai not lyuen forr. fre? no þing, Bote holden he mot to his wyf And ben in Cuntek and in stryf— Betere him were dihte and go— ffor weddyng is þe longe wo. Whon he haþ a wyf I-take, He mai hire nouȝt forsake; He þat haþ a schrewe to wyue, Of vche a day him þinkeþ fyue; Of muche Murþe he schal misse And euere ha serwe and neuer blisse, Þer anoþer mai leue and take Wher he wole, and eke forsake; Lihtliche and glad may he go, Whon he þat is bounden schal be ful wo, And be liht and Iolyf More þen on þat haþ a wyf. ffor-þi I rede þat men do so And lete weddynge a-wey go." ÞE goode Mon wel vnderstod Þat his counseil was not good. "He is a fol and noþing wys : Þat foleweþ þi Red: Þe Mon þat foleweþ his flesches lust : His soule schal be ded; But ȝif he do kuyndely : And wiþ spoused fere, In helle he schal a-buggen : His flessches lyking here. Þer beoþ þorw godes lawen : Ten Comaundemens, Þat vche mon ouȝte kepe : Elles he brekeþ his defens; Spous-bruche, forsoþe : Is þe grettest of alle— Þo þat aren I-weddet, kep hem wel : Þat þei þer-Inne ne falle; He þat wol folewen his flessches lust : And þe lawe breke, Ne þinke him no wonder þenne : þauȝ god on hym a-wreke. Mon in Godes lawe : Mai wel haue a Make, To do wiþ hire his wille : ffor childberynge sake, And louen eiþer oþer : Whon tyme is and leue, And holden hem wel to-gedere : As Adam dude and Eue. But hit beo in wedlac : In alle wyse lef þat game And liue in chastite : And be wiþ-outen blame! Gret schome hit is and synne : I swere þe be heuene, To spende þi fyue wittes : In eny of þe synnes seuene, Þat God þe haþ I-ȝiuen : And þine lymes alle, ffor to kepe þe wiþ : In synne þat þou ne falle. A foul chaunge hit is, forsoþe : And a gret vuel, To chaunge heuene for helle : And God for þe deuel; Þat dostou, as ofte as þou syngest dedli And brekest godus comaundemens & dost a gret foli; Þe deueles þral þou be-comest : Whon þou dost þi miht To foule þi clene soule : Bi daye or be niht . . . . .(some vv. om.) Niht and day he studieþ : And casteþ his gynne How he may bi alle weyes : A wommons loue wynne; Nil he neuer stunten : He swereþ his oþ, Ar he haue his wille i-don : Be god neuer so wroþ. And heo wol haue him, heo seiþ : Euermore to dwelle, Raþer þen heo hym for-go : Benom. Ben in þe put of helle. But wusten heo what hit were : Þe leste pyne þer-Inne, ffor al þe good in eorþe : þei nolde don dedly synne! ffor þei nolde not be war : Er þei coome þare, In pyne schul þei euer be : In serwe and in care. Þo þat aren gode : Liuen in muche wynne; Þe gode gon a Godeshalf : Þe deueles limes to synne. Whon þei comen to-gedere : Eiþer on oþer wynkeþ; Þat þei ne hedde heor synne i-do : Longe þer-to hem þinkeþ; Whon þei seo heore tyme : Wol þei not longe dwelle, Bote þei do þe dede : Þat echeþ þe fuir of helle. Þe fuir þat is in helle : Is euer Brennynge, Þe synful wrecche soules : Þer-Inne pynynge; Þe Mo þat are þer-Inne : Þe hattore is þe lye, And þe pyne hardore : Þat þe soules drye. Heo beoþ grete foles : ffor soþe I sigge, I-wis, Þat makeþ þe pyne more : And hattore þen hit is. Þulke þat brekeþ godes word : Þorw heor dedly synne, Þei lihten þe fuir : Þat þei schulen brennen Inne. Godes Comaundement þei breke : Al þat doþ lecherie: In helle-fuir schul þei euer be : Heore peynes to drie" ÞE wikkede gost onswerede þo And seide þat hit was not so. "So þou seist as false men do: Þat Sleuþe is synne, and is not so. Menr. Mon? mot haue, ȝif þei may, Ese and reste, niȝt and day, In Bedde, in Mete beo al at his ese And mak þe bodi euer wel at ese. After þi deþ wost þou not what, What þou schalt haue, þenk wel on þat! While þou miȝt, make þe glad and muri! Lengor liueþ a glad mon þen a sori. Al knowe I wel þi resun And what be-tokneþ þi lessun: ffor Men scholde to chirche gonge, To here Matins, Masse, and Euensonge, Heore pater noster to sigge, Aue Marie, & Crede, And ete of prestes holy brede. What, wenest þou for such þing Þi soule in to heuene bring? Ho bi-gon furst to worche, And whi was maad, holichirche? Of Prestes couetise hit was biþouht Þat churche was furst I-wrouht, ffor he wolde haue offryng And liue bi oþur mennes þing. He wole a-Morwe Belle rynge, And þenne wol he Matyns synge; And ȝif þer luite folk comeþ þerto, He wol hiȝe faste and haue I-do; And ȝif þer muche folk come, I sigge þe, He wol make gret solempnite: Reuesten him þenne wole he wel Wiþ riche pal and sendel, He wol don on his canter-copeags. cantelcapa pallium And gon as he were a Pope; Siþen he wole wiþ springel-stikke Ȝiuen holy water a-bouten þikke, And syngen loude wiþ schil þrote, And seiþ hit is þe soule note Þat þe prest seiþ and doþ— Þe folk weneþ þat hit be soþ; Bi-fore his Auter he wol stonden And holde vp an heiȝ boþe his honden, He wol synge mony a þrowe, Sum-time heiȝe & sum-time lowe, He wole him turne & take good hede Ȝif eny Mon him bringe mede. Ȝif muche folk come and þringe Offringe faste him to brynge, He wole amende faste his song— Þat tyme þinkeþ him not long. And whon þei wole him no-þing brynge, Lust him no-þing for to synge, ffaste he hiȝeþ hym to spede And ȝiueþ hem of his holy brede— Þat is þe beste of al his dede, ffor hit helpeþ to monnes nede; Þauȝ hit be luytel, hit turneþ to gode, ffor hit helpeþ to Monnes foode. Whon he haþ al I-do, He ȝiueþ heom leue and let hem go; But euer a-Mong al oþur nede His oune erende wol he bede, Þat þei brynge heore offrynges To Chirche, and heore tyþinges. Wel þou wost þat þis is soþ: Al for his owne gode he hit doþ; Kepeþ he nouȝt of heore comynge, But ȝif þei wole him eni good bringe.— But, ȝif þou wolt on eny wyse At Chirche here þi seruyse, A-tome þou maiȝt ful wel abyde Til he haue seid þe laste tyde; And ȝit maiȝt þou lengore dwelle And come be tyme to þe gospelle; A-tome maiȝt þow do good nede And come to þe Masse crede; And ȝif þe luste riȝt wel slope, Cum whon he doþ of his Masse-cope; And þeiȝ þou ne come, ne ȝif no tale, Til he halibred be-ginne to dale: Þenne maiȝt þou ben al ȝare, And hom wiþ þi neiȝebors fare." ÞE goode Mon wel vnderstod Þat his techynge was not good. "Al þat þou spekest hit is nouȝt : Þow miȝtest wel be stille, Al þat þe bodi lykeþ wel : Is aȝeyn þe soule wille. Ese and reste and muri lyf : Men lykeþ wel and wymmenne, But þei brynge þe soule in strif : Aȝeyn þei wenden henne. Þe bodi and þe soule beþ : Wel neih euere wroþ: ffor þat þe bodi lykeþ wel : Is to þe soule loþ. Muche tale þou makest : Þe foule bodi to queme, But of þe seli soule : Takest þow no ȝeme. Aftur þat þe bodi doþ : Schal þe soule fynde And in peyne or in Ioye : Euere þerof haue mynde. Ȝif Men loue to slepe : Whon þei scholden wake, Þenne schal þe soule : In stude of Ioye haue wrake. Monnes lyf nis bote schort : Sone wol hit go, Bote þe sely soule : Duyreþ euer-mo; Þe soule schal faren his wey : Þe bodi schal a-byde And not nouȝt of þe soule : What hit schal be-tyde. But wel I wot, and soþ hit is : After monnes dede, Whon he is forþ faren : He schal hauen his mede: Ȝif he haue loued god : And kept his biddynge, Þe blisse of heuene schal he haue : Wiþ-outen endynge; Ouþur in to peyne schal he be brouȝt, Ȝif he haue þer-aftur wrouȝt.— Þerfore is ned on alle wyse Men to go to Godes seruyse And wake þe more and slepe þe lasse, To here Matyns, Euensong, and Masse. Whon men han aȝeyn god : In dedly synne falle, Heo ouȝten for to wepe : And Merci to God calle, And wenden to þe prest : Hastiliche and sone And tellen him in schrif : What synne he haþ i-done. A fool he is þat a-bydeþ : Eny gret stounde, Til þer come more sor : And cleue to þe wounde. Also hit fareþ bi synne : I wot wiþ-outen wene, As doþ be þe wounde : While hit is nowe and grene. Þe leche clanseþ þe wounde : Clene in þe ground And leiþ salue a-boue : And makeþ hit hol and sound; Mon may for a wounde : Or for a luitel sor, Bote hit be sone I-heled : Be worse and wel mor: Ȝif o sor come to anoþer : Þenne are þer two, And ȝif he longe a-byde : Þen wol þer be mo; His owne bone mai hit be : Longe for to abyde— Þerfore I rede, sech leche-craft : Soone, what be-tyde. Also hit fareþ bi synne : Ȝif hit I-hud is; Bote hit be to þe prest : Soone I-told, I-wis, Hit draweþ hem to helle-grounde : And byndeþ hem to peynes stronge; Þe hardore peyne schal he haue : Ȝif he þer-Inne ligge longe. Þe lengor þat men a-byde : Þe latere comeþ bote; Þei stonde wel þe fastore : Whon þei haue take rote. Þauȝ Men fallen in synne : Gret wonder hit nis; But ligge stille þer-Inne : Þat is wonder gret, I-wis! Ȝif þow liggest in þe fuir : And brennest on eny wyse, Who is for to wyte : Þi-self wolt nouȝt arise? Mynde haþ he non : Of God þat hym wrouhte And on þe Roode-tre : Wiþ his passion him bouhte. Wel hit is I-seene : Þat þei are ful slowe Þat to þe prest nil not : Heore synnes ben a-knowe, And luytel þonk þei cunne god : ffor his goode seruyse, Whon þei wole not for his loue : Out of synne aryse. Þinke no mon wonder : Þauh god wiþ hemMS. him be wroþ And take vengeaunce on hem : Beo hem neuer so loþ! Schriueþ ow be-tyme : ffor loue or for feer, ffor God takeþ wreche : Heer or elleswher; Bi-weopeþ ȝoure synnes : And criȝeþ God Merci, And to alle his werkes : Beoþ euere redi! Whon hit is halyday : Vche Mon ouhte wiþ rihte To heere his seruyse in chirche : Ȝif he on eny wyse mihte, And not in sleuþe ligge, : In bed a-tome abyde Til þe prest haue I-seid : Þe laste non-tyde. Ȝif þou go at morwe : And Matyns here erliche, Hit is þe soule profyt : I sigge þe sikerliche; Þeih þi flesch grucche : Lette nouht þerfore— Þe ofter þow ouercomest hit : Þi Meede schal beo þe more; Ȝif þow herest Matyns and Masse : And takest haly brede, To Bodi and to soule : Þow wynnest muchel Mede. After Mete loke þou go to þe prechynge, Ȝif eny beo in toune—lette for no þynge— And þat þe prechur precheþ : Vnderstonde hit wel, And do as he þe techeþ : I rede þe, vche a del. Ȝif þer no prechyng be : Go visyte þe seke, Cumforte hem wiþ þin Almes : And wiþ þi wordes Meke. Aftur, whon þei rynge : Go to Euen-song, And lette for no cumpaignye : Þat þow art aMong; Ȝif þow do not, for soþe : Þou dost þe deueles wille, Whon þou in ganglyng and drynkyng : Dwellest wiþ hem stille. Whon Euensong & cumplyn boþe ben ido, Hom to þi soper þen wel maiȝt þou go. I rede þenne, ar þow go : ffulliche in tooverl. þi bed, Þonke crist of þat day : Þat þow hast wel I-sped; And ȝif þou ouȝt hast mis-done, Aske him merci, I rede, sone; Be-teche þi lyf and þi soule : To God Almihti: And þenne maiȝt þou slepe : wel and sikerly. Whon þow risest vp, þonke god : Inwardliche wiþ al þi miht, Þat þe haþ saued from encumbrement : Of þe ffend þat niht; Be-teche al in godes hond : Þi preyers and þi dedes, Þi wittes and þi willes : And al þyn oþer nedes. Avise þe in al þi werkes : Þow saue þe from dedli synne, And do as I counseyle þe : And heuene schalt þou winne. In what werk, Mon, þat þou be : worche euer trewli, Or þou schalt haue peine þerfore : Ȝif þou worche falsli; Ȝif þow take here þi fulle huyre : And dost not fulliche þi werk þerfore, In helle or in purgatorie : Þi peyne schal be wel þe more. Of what condicion so þou art : Trewe in alle þing þou be, And do so to vche mon : As þou woldest he dude to þe; And loke in al þat þou seist & dost : Þat God be euere apayd, And lef sleuþe & al oþer synnes : As Ich haue I-seid!" ÞE wikked gost onswerde þon And seide: "þou art a Mad mon! Þauȝ þou woldest now be-ginne And sigge þat glotenye were sinne, Beter þe were þi Ianglyng lete. Men scholde dye, ȝif þei ne ete, And bote þei drinke wel, also; No Mon mai liue wiþ-outen hem two. To Badde counseil art þou euer ȝare, To ffastyng and to vuel fare. What good comeþ of fastyng? ffeyntyse, Idelnesse, & non oþur þing. Þat maiȝt þow wel wite be skil. Whon þe flesch haþ Mete & drinke at wil, Þen is he redi to fihte and chide Wiþ alle þo þat gon and ride. Ho mai duire for to swynke, But ȝif he ete wel and drinke? Hunger makeþ men beo bi-hynde In vche a werk, as I fynde. Gode drinkes & Metes wel I-diht Are wel I-loued, and þat is riht. Ȝif he beo a stout sweyn, He eteþ til hit come vp aȝeyn. Al-þauh hit be so þat he caste— So he mihte, þauh he faste— Hit nis for no dronkenesse, But for oþer seknesse. Whon he is heled of þat sore, He may ete and drinke more, And make glad and bliþe chere— ffor euere is ale and wyn good fere. Et faste and drink wel : And sleep euere a-mong: And þenne mayht þow lyue : Ȝeres monye and long." ÞE gode Mon, þat in god was stable, Vnderstod, þat he seide, was fable. "Wel I wot þat men mote liue : Be Mete and be drynk, As skile is and resun : And Mesure in alle þyng. Þei þat liuen as beestes : Aren wiþ-outen lay, Þat erliche eteþ and drynkeþ : And holdeþ on al day. Þe beest doþ his kynde : And þe glotun synne Doþ aȝeyn his kynde : Þat wol neuer blynne. Suche foule glotounes : Doþ a-ȝeyn þe lawe. Ar þe wombe be ful : Beo þei neuer fawe; Þenne wol þei chiden and fiȝten also— Serwe on heore hedes, but þei wel do! Mete and drynke is ȝiuen to mon : As salue to sore, Þat neodful is to take þerof : And neuere a del more. Ȝif þow to muche salue : Leyst to þi sar, Hit wol beo þi deþ : Bote þow sone be war; So wol hit of Mete & of drinke be: Þi soule bone, ȝif þou take mor þen nedeþ þe. Whon mon haþ at Meel-tyme : Such as he wile, Tak þat he haþ neode of : Be Mesure and bi skile, And parte wiþ þe pore : Of þat is on [his]MS. þy bord, And not in his wombe : Make al his hord— ffor þer is foul tresorie : And al ful of stinke. Al þat þou takest mor þen neod is : In peyne þou schalt of-þinke. In þe Bok of priuetes : Glotons are Manased so: 'Aȝeyn O drauȝt þei drinke ouer-muche : Þei schul han þre or two Of hot led and walled bras. : Þei schul beo ful wo, ffor stynkyng brumston and for pich : Þat in heore þrotes schal go.' Þus seide þe prest þat god wol take wreche, But ȝif ȝe leue synne and do as I ow teche." ÞE wikkede gost, þer he stood, Wox for wraþþe wel-neiȝ wood, ffor he was ouer-comen and be-hynde— ffor mo onsweres couþe he not fynde. Þe gode Mon þenne was a-bascht And lokede on þe wikkede gast And seide: "now wot I, þow art non Mon mad of flesch and bon; I vnderstonde wel be þi spelle Þat þou art þe deuel of helle. I þe Comaunde, foule þing, In þe nome of heuene kyng, Þat þow me noþing drecche, But bi-cum now, foule wrecche, As foul as þou were In helle wiþ þi feere." Ne mihte he no lengure a-byde, Bote bi-com þo also-tyde ffoul as helle-Sathanas, As Blac as eny pich he was— How foul he was con I not telle, But foul he stonk as stunch of helle. Þe gode mon blessed him wiþ þe Crois And criȝed on God wiþ loud vois, Bi-fore, be-hynde he blessed him fast, And Comaundede þat sori gast ffor to wenden: and so he dude þo, To þat stude þat he com fro. Pouwer hedde he no lengore dwelle, But wente doun riht in to helle. Þe gode Mon wente hom his way, And serued god wel to pay, And þonked him—so ouhte he wel— Þat him sauede from þe deuel. Ihesu Crist such grace vs sende Hym to serue to vre lyues ende, And kep vs from þe synnes seuene, And graunt vs alle þe blisse of heuene!Then follows in MS. Vern. þe riȝte put of helle, 3rd part of the legend of St. Michael in the South Engl. Legendary, fol. CCXCI, here written in half lines. XXXVIII. Castel of Loue.

Ed. before by Weymouth, Philol. Soc. 1864, and from another (un|known) MS., by Halliwell, 1849. The poem is a very old translation of Rob. Groshed's († 1253) Chasteau d'amour, or Carmen de creatione mundi (ed. by M. Cooke, R. Grossetete Carmina anglo-normannica, Caxton Soc. 1852), and was made in the latter half of the 13th cent., in the dialect and perhaps by the author of the 'Harrowing of Hell' and 'Marina' (MS. Harl. 2253). The subject, with its personification of the 4 cardinal virtues, resting ultimately on Psalm 88, 11, became a great favourite in medieval literature: it is treated in the Cursor Mundi, in the Abbey of the Holy Ghost, and in Lydgate's Life of St. Mary, and his Court of Sapience. Later translations are extant in MS. Egerton 927, made by a monk of Sawley in Yorkshire (ed. in the Appendix), and in MS. Ashm. 61, fol. 78 (ed. in Altengl. Legenden, Neue Folge, p. 349-354), which contains only the first part (to v. 554). Cooke's ed. of the French text is quite insufficient, and full of mistakes.

 Her byginnet a tretys Þat is yclept Castel off Loue, Þat bisschop Grosteyȝt made, ywis, ffor lewede mennes by-houe. vv. 1-18 cf. Fr. text: Ky bien pense bien puet dire; Sanz penser ne peut suffire De nul bien fet comencer. Deu nus doint a li penser, De ki, par ki, en ki sunt Touz les biens ki sunt el mund, Deu le pere e deu le fiz E deu li seinz esperiz, Persones treis en trinite E un sul deu en unite, Sanz fin, sanz comence|ment, A ki honur e gloire apent. Il nus doint ses oures fere E nus defende de contrere. (The Engl. text does not give a favourable idea of the translator's intelligence.)ÞAt good þenkeþ, good may do, And God wol helpe him þerto; ffor nas neuere good werk wrouȝt Wiþ-oute be-ginninge of good þouȝt, Ne neuer was wrouȝt non vuel þing Þat vuel þouȝt nas þe biginnyng. God ffader and Sone and Holigost, Þat alle þing on eorþe sixt and wost, Þat O God art and þrilli-hod, And þreo persones in on-hod, Wiþ-outen ende and biginninge; To whom we ouȝten ouer alle þinge Worschupe him wiþ trewe loue, Þat kineworþe kyng art vs aboue; In whom, of whom, þorw whom beoþ Al þe goodschipes þat we here i-seoþ: He leue vs þenche and worchen so Þat he vs schylde from vre fo. vv. 19-37 cf. Fr.: Tuz avum mester d'aie, E trestuz ne poeut mie Saver le langage en fin D'Ebreu, de griu ne de latin, Pur loer son creat[e]ur, Ne la buche de chanteur Ne soit clos de deu loer Ne son seint nom nuncier. Ke chescun en son langage Le conuisse sanz folageAlle we habbeþ to help neode, Þatr. þah we ne beþ alle of one þeode Ne I-boren In one londe Ne one speche vnderstonde. Ne mowe we alle Latin wite, Ne Ebreu ne Gru þat beþ I-write, Ne ffrench ne þis oþer spechen Son deu, e sa redempcinn. En romanz comenz ma rei|son Por ceus ki ne sevent mie Ne lettrure ne clergie. Þat me mihte in world sechen, To herie god, vre derworþe drihte; AcMS. As; om. in H. vche mon ouȝte wiþ al his mihte LofMS. Loft song syngen to god ȝerne Wiþ such speche as he con lerne; No Monnes Mouþ ne be I-dut Ne his ledene I-hud To seruenH. herien his god, þat him wrouȝte And maade al þe world of nouȝte. ON Englisch I-chul mi resun schowen, ffor him þat con not I-knowen Nouþer ffrench ne Latyn. On Englisch I-chulle tellen him WherforeH. For why þe world wasH. was furst I-wrouht, Þer-aftur how he was bi-tauht Adam vre ffader, to ben his, Wiþ al þe merþe of paradys, To wonen and welden to such ende, Til þat he scholde to heuene wende; And hou sone he hit for-les; And seþþen, hou hit for-bouht wes vv. 47-82 wanting in the Fr. poem, but taken from its Latin title or index.Þorw þe heiȝe kynges sone, Þat here on eorþe wolde come ffor his Sustren þat were to-boren, And for a prison þat was for-loren,vv. 49 & 50 to be transp.? And hou he made, as ȝe schul heeren, Þat heo I-custe and sauht weren; And to wȝuche a Castel he alihte Þo he wolde here for vs fihte— Þat þe Marie bodi wes, ÞerMS. þat, H. Therin; cf. v. 666. he alihte and his in ches. And tellen we schulen of Ysay,Is. 9, 6. Þat vs tolde trewely "A Child þer is iboren to vs And a Sone I-ȝiuen vs, Whos nome schal I-nempned beon Wonderful, as me may I-seon, And God, mihtful, and right wys,Lat. consiliarius Of þe world þat [to]om.; Lat. Pater futuri secull. comen is LOrd þe ffader, and Prince of pes."In the MS. written in 2 vv. Alle þeos nomen, hou he wes, Ȝe schulen I-heren and I-witen. 1And of domus-day hou hit is I-writen; And of heuene we schulen telle, And sumdel of þe pynen of helle.11_1 This last part is om. at the end, but extant in H. ÞAuh hit on Englisch be dim and derk Ne nabbe no sauur bi-fore [a] clerk, ffor lewed Men þat luitel connen On Englisch hit is þus bi-gonnen. Ac whose is witer and wys of wit And ȝerne bi-holdeþ þis ilke writ, And con þat muchel of luitelH. lintel. Cf. Fr. Latin Index: prudens lector qui norit sugere mel de petra oleumque de saxo durissimo, scriptum inveniet plenum dulcedine celesti. vnlouken And Hony of þe harde ston souken, Alle poyntes he fynde may Of vre be-leeue and godes lay Þat bi-falleþ to Godes Godhede As wel as to his Monhede.— Offte ȝe habbeþ I-herd ar þis Hou þe world I-maked is; ffor-þi ne kep I nouȝt to telle Bote þat falleþ to my spelle: In Sixe dayes and seue niht God hedde al þe world I-diht; And þo al was derworþliche I-do, Þe seueþe day he tok reste and ro. Lustneþ to me, lordynges. Þo God atte begynnynges Hedde I-maad heuene wiþ ginne, And þe Angeles so briht wiþ-Inne, And þe eorþe þer-after þer-wiþ, And al þat euere in hire bi-lyþ: vv. 94, 97-100 added to the French.Lucifer in heuene wox so proud ÞatMS. And, H. That he was a-non I-cast out, And mo Angeles þen eni tonge mai telle ffullen a-doun wiþ him to helle. And ȝit was þe Sonne þo seuesyþe I-wis Brihtore forsoþe þen heo now is; Also schon þe Mone a-niht So doþ þe Sonne on day-liht. Ne holde ȝe hit not for folye, ffor so seiþ þe prophete Ysaye. Alle þe schaftes þat þoH. shupte weren More miȝt and strengþe beren Bi-fore þat Adam þe world for-les. Allas, wȝuch serwe and deol þer wes! Alle heo beoþ I-brouh[t] to grounde Þat of his of-springe beoþ I-founde; Of heuene-blisse heo beoþ I-flemed And to deolful deþ I-demed,— Þe Reson is good and feir for whi, As I-chulle ow telle for-þi Þat ȝe schule loue God þe more And him seruen and clepe to his ore. ÞO God hedde al þe world I-wrouȝt, Þat þer ne faylede riȝt nouȝt, Beest ne ffisch, ne ffoul to fleon, And vche þing as hit ouȝte to beon, Blosme on Bouȝ and Breer on Rys, And alle þing betere þen hit nou is; And þo he hedde al wel I-don, He com to þe valeye of Ebron; Þer he made Adam and lastMS. laft, H. at the last, Fr. auderrain. so Riche Of eorþe, after hym-self I-liche, And aftur his holy þrilli-hod He schop his soule feir and good. How miȝte he him more loue schowen Þen his oune liknesse habben and owen? To paradys he ladde him þo, And caste sleep on him al-so Þat of his syde A Rib he nom, And þer-of Eue, his feere, com, He ȝaf Adam Eue to wyue, To helpen; he ȝaf him wittes fyue,Fr. saveir. 139-144 added to the Fr. To delen þat vuel from þe good, Ȝif he wel him vnderstood; He ȝaf him ȝit more worschipe:141, 143-4, 146, 150-1 added. Of al þe world þe lordschipe, And alle þe schaftes of water and lond Scholden ben vnder his hond; ffeirlek, and freodam, and muche miht, And þe world to delen and diht, And paradys, to wonen In Wiþ-outen wo and serwe and pyn, Wiþ-outen deþ, In goode lyue, Þer Ioye and Blisse is so ryue, And euere to libben I-liche ȝong, O þato þat, until, cf. 472, 1404, 1412, Marina 210, Harr. 128. 148. of hem to weren and-sprongr. at-sprong? Sim. at-sprong Þe noumbreH. tale of þe soulen þat from heuene felle Þorw Lucifer a-doun to helle; And whon hit forþ com al þe stren, So briȝt heo scholden I-BlessedFr. glorifiez ben So was þe Sonne, as I er tolde, Brihtore þen heo now is seuen-folde, And so heo scholden to heuene wende To þe Blisse wiþ-outen ende Wiþ-outen drede of deþes dome; And al þe of-spring þat of hem come, ffrom þat ilke day to þis, Scholde so steyȝen to heuene-blis, To þe heritage of wynne and wele, A-Mong þe Murþe of Aungeles fele. Two lawen Adam scholde I-wis Witen and holden In Paradis: Þat on him was þorw kynde i-let, Þat oþer was clept lawe I-set. Þat on him tauȝte atte leste Þorw kynde to holden godes heste; Þat oþur lawe þatH. was that him was set: "Of þe Appel þow neuer ne et Of þe tre þat is for-bode." So himMS. he, H. hym seide andMS. þat, H. and hiȝte Gode Þat whon he of þe Appel ete, Þorw deþ he scholde þe lyf forlete, And al þe kynde þat of him com Scholde þole þulke dom;179-180 added. And ȝif he heolde his heste riht, God ȝaf him so muche miht To welden al þis worldes winne, Wiþ-outen wo and serwe and sinne. Þe Seisyn hedde Adam þo To wonen in blisse euere and O. In Muche Murþe and Ioye he wes. A-wei, to sone he hit for-les, His worschipe and his wel-fare, Brouȝte vs alle in muche care! Þo he of þe Appel eet, Godes heste he to-brek; Þe kuyndeliche and þe set ek, Boþe his lawen he to-brek, And raþure he dude his wyues bode Þen he heold þe heste of gode. Þus Adam þorw reuþful rage Was cast out of his heritage, And out of Paradys I-driue, In swynk and swot in world to liue. Þe Blisse of lyf he haþ forsaken, And to deolful deþ I-taken. Carfuliche he haþ I-Coren! Now he þorw riȝt haþ I-loren Þe Murþe þat he miȝte hauen, Whom mai he to helpe crauen Out of his heritage he is pult, ffor synne and for his owne gult. vv. 209-222 added to the Fr. (H. has same vv.)Lucifer gon wel lyke þo Þo Adam was bi-swiken so— ffor alle þe ffendes hedden onde Þat he scholde come to þat blisful londe Þat he hedde þorw pruide for-lore; Wel hit likede hem þer-fore. So muche wox heore miht þo Þat al þe world moste after hem go;same vv., 1313-4. And whon mon hedde I-liued in care, Atte last he moste dyen & forþ-fare— Ne miȝte him helpe no good dede Þat his soule mosteH. ne most to helle neede; ffor so hit was toMS. þo, H. to Adam bi-speke, And god nolde no forward breke. fforH. ffull, Fr. Trop eyle and hard and muche hit wes Þe synne þat þus þe world for-les, Þat vche þing vnder heuene-driht So muche les of strengþe and miht! God ne wrouhte neuer þat þing Þat outr. mi(h)t? cf. 653. les þorw his wonyngH. But hit peyred thowrgh his wonnyng. Cf. Fr.: Deu ne fist chose si haute Nabessast pa[r] sa defaute. Ke terriene chose feust, Chescune chose son dreit eust, Ne feust pechie que tant grieue. Pechie, a parole brieue, Cest defaute apertement— Defaute e peche en un ses|tent. Par defaute ot tant de perte, Kar defaute fist aperte; Defaute apres defaute fine Fet par droit perdre seisine.— ffor nis no wone on him I-long— Ȝif synne nere so hard and strong; ffor God ȝaf vche þing al his riht. Ac sunne wonede heore alre miht— ffor sunne and wone al is on. And wone dude Adam þo a-non Þo he godes heste at-seet, And eke þo he þe Appel eet. Þorw wone he lees his seysyne, Þorw wone he brouhte him-self in pyne— In þe kynges Court ȝit vche day Me vseþ þulke selue lay. NOw is Adam wiþ wo I-nome, Sunnes þral he is bi-come, Þat freore was er þen eny þing Þat liuede vnder heuene-kyng. He is þorw riht [his] þeuwe and þral To whos seruise he vnderstod wiþ-alCf. Fr.: Nest il son serf apertement Au ki seruice il entent? Pus kil le seit, (est) en servage E sanz franchise a estage. H. vnderstondeth WhonH. And when he him servid thorgh thewdome, He dede withoute fre|dome. he him serwede in þe-dome And diȝeder. dede? wiþ-outen fredome. And þeuwe and þral may not craue Þorw riht non heritage to haue: As sone as he is þral bi-come, His heritage is him bi-nome; In Court ne in none londe Me ne ouȝte onswere him ne vndurstonde. Þenne he mot a-noþer seche ffor to schewe for him his speche, Þat mowe his heritage craue; And þat he þer. his? H. that kynde haue; Þat he beo I-boren fre, And þat he ne eete of þe tre; Þat he habbe I-wust wiþ-Inne Þe þreo lawen wiþ-outen synne— Þulke two of Paradys, And þulke of þe Mount Synays Þat to Moyses I-ȝiuen was, Þat neuer ȝute I-holde nas Of non þat euer dude sunne. Who mihte þenne such Mon munne Oþer þenchen or I-knowe Þat such wonder mihte schowe? Siggen I may in þis stude Þerof, þat ich er dude, ffor nou Ichul tellen of þe stryf Þat a-Mong þe foure sustren liþ.Fr. Ici reposera mun dit, Si vus dirrai un respit Ki bien toche ma matyre, Por co le voil ci descrifre.H. Sey I may in þis stede As I before dede, ffor now is tyme that I hit telle, ffor it behovyth to our spelle. HIt was a kyng of muche miht, Of good wille and gret in-siht. And þis kyng hedde a Sone, Of such wit and of such wone, Of such strengþe and of such chere As was his ffader in his manere; Of on wille heo weoren bo, And of on studefastschipe also, Of on fulnesseFr. substance heo weoren out-riht And boþe heo weoren of on miht. Þorw þe Sone þe ffader al be-gonFr. ordineit Þat bi-lay to his kynedom; Wiþ wit was his be-gynnynge, Þe ffader wolde to ende bringe.Fr. Quankil voleit comenceir Par son fiz le vout cheveir.H. Alle that was of his b. The fadur hit wolde to ende b. Foure douhtren hedde þe kyng, And to vchone sunderlyng He ȝaf a dole of his fulnesse, Of his miht and of his wysnesse, As wolde bi-fallen to vch on; And ȝit was al þe folnesse on, Þat to him-self bi-lay; Wiþ-oute whom he ne mai His kindom wiþ pees wysen, Ne wiþ rihte hit Iustisen. Good is to nempnen hem forþi. Þe furste douȝter hette Merci— Þe kynges eldeste douȝter heo is; Þat oþer hette Soþ, I-wis; Þe þridde soster Is cleped Riȝt; Pees hette þe feorþe a-pliȝt. Wiþ-outen þeos foure wiþ worschipe Mai no kyng lede gret lordschipe. Þis kyng, as þou herdest ar þis, Hedde a þral þat dude amis, Þat for his gult strong and gret Wiþ his lord was so I-vet,= i-fed, odiosus? Fr.: Ke ver son seignur ot fet Þat þorw be-siht of riht dom To strong prison was I-don And bi-taken to alle his fon, Þat sore him pyneden euerichon; Þat of no þing heo nedden ondeFr. envie (forced meaning) Bote him to habben vnder honde; Heo him duden in prisun of deþ, And pyneden him sore wiþ-outen meþ. De misericordia. MErci þat a-non I-seiȝ; Hit eode hire herte swiþe neih, Ne mai hire no þing lengore holde, By-foren þe kyng comen heo wolde To schewen forþ hire Resoun And to dilyuere þe prisoun. "Vnderstond," quaþ heo, "ffader myn! Þow wost þat I am douȝter þyn, And am ful of Boxumnes, Of Milce and of Swetnes, And al Ich habbe, ffader, of þe. I beo-seche þat þou here me, Þat þe [sorful]so H.; Fr. dolent wrecche prisoun Mote come to sum Raunsum Þat a-Midden alle his fon In strong prison [þou] hast I-don. Heo him made agulte, þulke vnwreste, And bi-swikede him þorw heor feire beheste, And seiden him ȝif he wolde þe Appel ete, Þat whon he hedde al I-ete,H. And Goddis lawes forleten He scholde habbe al þe miht of gode Of þe treo þat him was forbode;vv. 337-340 added to the Fr. And be-gylenSim. begilede; H. lyed him þerof, and heoom. in H. luytel rouȝten— ffor falshede euerȝite heo souhten. And falshede hem I-ȝolde be, And þe wrecche prisun I-sold to me! ffor þow art kyng of Boxumnes, Of Milce and of Swetnes, And I þi douhter alre eldest, Ouer alle þe oþere beldest;Fr.: Sur tuz tes oures nomee. Neuere I þi douhter neore Bote MilceH. my swetnesse. Fr. Si de celui pitie neusse. toward him were. Milce and Merci he schal haue, Þorw Milce I-chulle þe prisun craue;Fr. Ta merci le doit salveir ffor þin owne swete pite Iom. I? Fr.: E ta tres doce pitie Le doit mettre a sauvete. schal him bringe to sauete. Þi Milce for him I crie euermore, AndAnd = until? or r. O þou? H. Tylle he have i-funde thyne ore. Fr. Tant ke merci troverai. haue of him Milce and ore!" De veritate. ANon whon Soþ þis I-seiȝ Hou Merci, hire soster, hir herte beiȝFr. se plie And wolde þis þral of prisun bringe Þat Riht hedde him I-demet wiþ-outen endinge: Al heo chaunged hire mood, And bi-foren þe kyng heo stood. "ffader, I þe bi-seche, herkne to me! I ne may for-bere to telle hit þe Hou hitom. in H.; cf. v. 645. me þinkeþ a wonder þing Of Merci, my suster,H. Of my syster Mercyes wilnyng, Þat wolde wiþ hire Milsful sarmon Diliuere þe þral out of prison Þat swiþe agulte, þer ich hit seih And tolde hit to Riht þat stood me neih.al. Fr.; Right is here introduced by the Engl. poet. ffader, ich sigge þe for-þi: Þou ouhtes nouȝt to heere Merci, Of no boone þat heo bi-secheþ þe, Bote Rihtom. in Fr. and Sooþ þer-mide be. And þow louest soþ and hatest lees, ffor of þi fulnesse I-comen Ich wes; And eke þow art kyng Rihtwys,vv. 377-8 added. And Merci herte so reuþful is Þat, ȝif heo mai saue wiþ hire mylde speche Al þat heo wole fore bi-seche, Neuer schal be mis-dede abouht, And þou, kyng, schalt be douted riȝt nouht. Þou art also so trewe a kyng,H. And thou art all sothefaste k. Fr.: Mes tu es rois si veritables, De corage si estables, Ke rien ne quers fors verite. And stable of þouȝt in alle þyng. ffor-þi me þinkeþ Merci wilneþ wouȝ, And spekeþ to-ȝeynes RiȝtH. me I-nouȝ; ffor Riht con hym in prison bynde He ouȝte neuere Milce to fynde,vv. 385-8 added. Milce and Merci he haþ for-loren— He was warned þerof bi-foren; Whi scholde me helpe þulke mon Þat nedde of him-self pite non? His dom he mot habbe as Soþ con sugge, And al his mis-dede a-bugge." De Iusticia. RIht I-herde þis talkyng: Anon heo stod bi-fore þe kyng, "Þi douȝtur," heo seiþ, "I am, I wot bi þon, ffor þou art, kyng, Riht domes-mon; ÞeMS. þer. (W. takes mitte = mid þe.) beþ rihte domes mitte, Alle þine werkes beþ ful of witte. Þis þral of whom my sustren deeþ mene,H. mevyn, Fr. dont parler oi Haþ deseruet as at ene;H. Hath dome deserved as ȝe ȝevyn. Fr. Iugement ad deserui. ffor in tyme, while þat he freo wes, He hedde wiþ him boþe Merci and pees, And soþ and riht he hedde bo, And wiþ his wille he wente hem fro And tyed hym to wraþþe and wouȝ, To wreccheddam and serwe I-nouȝ. So þat, ȝif Riht geþ, He schal euereH. for ever þolyen deþ; ffor þo þow him þe heste hiȝtest, Þorw Soþ þou him þe deþMS. deþ him diȝtest,H. adds 2 vv. And I my-self him ȝaf þe dom, As sone as he hedde þe gult I-don; ffor Soþ bereþ witnesse þer-to, And elles nedde I no dom I-do. Ȝif he in Court bi-foren vs were, Þe dom þou scholdest sone I-here.v. 409 ff. cf. Fr.: Pur doit suffrir la mort, Kar tu anceis li promis. Ore soit en prison mis. Kar iustice le destine, Deske vienge le termine Ke tu le voilles relever E devant ta cort iuger ffor Riht ne spareþ for to Iugge What-so-euere Soþ wol sugge; Þorw wisdam heo demeþ alle, As wole to hisr. heor gult bi-falle."— SOþ and Riht, lo þus heo suggeþ, And þis þral to deþe Iuggeþ; Neuer nouþer ne spekeþ him good, Ner. nes? non þatH. of hem. Fr.: Puiske pitie nest oie. Merci vnderstood. Ac as a Mon mis-I-radH. As a diswaryed mon mysrad On vche half he is mis-bilad. Ne helpeþ him no þing wher-so he wende, Þat his fo fetteþFr. Ke l'ennemi nel assaut him In vche ende And I-strupt him al start-naked, Of miȝt and strengþe al bare I-maked; Him and al þat of him sprong He dude a þeuwedam vyl and strong And made agult[en] swiþe I-lome, And Riht com after wiþ hire dome; Wiþ-outen Merci and Pees heo con Iugge, Euer aftur þat Soþ wol sugge. Ne Pees mot not mid hem be, Out of londe heo mot fle, ffor pees bi-leueþ in no londe Wher þer is werre, nuy and onde; Ne Merci mot not a-Mong hem liue, Ac boþe heo beþ of londe I-driue. Nis þer nout in world bi-leued Þat nis destrued and to-dreued, And dreynt, for-loren and for-demed, But Eiȝte soulen, þat weren I-ȝemed In þe Schup, and þat weoren heo: Noe, and his sones þreo, And heore wyues þat heo hedden bi-fore— Of al þe world nas be-leued more. Careful herte him ouȝte come Þat þencheþ vppon þer. þet? H. so dredful dome! And al hit is þorw Riht and Soþ, Þat wiþ-outen Pees and Merci doþ. De pace. SO þat Pees a last vp breek And þus to hire ffader speek: "I am þi douȝter sauȝt and some, And of þi fulnesse am I-come. To-fore þe my playnt I make: Mi two sustren me habbeþ forsake, Wiþ-outen me heo doþ heore dom, Ne Merci a-mong hem nouȝt ne com. Fr.: Onkes apelee ne feu, Pur co ne peut avoir refu Nus home ke soit en vie: Pur co sui diloec fuie.(The translator used a corrupted text.)ffor no þing þat IH. eny mon miȝte do Ne moste Merci hem come to, Ne for none kunnes fey Ne moste ich hem come neyȝ, Ak þat dom is al heore owen. ffor-þi Ich am of londe I-flowen, And wole wiþ þe lede my lyf, Euer oMS. on; cf. v. 152. þat Ilke stryf Þat a-mong my sustren Is a-wake, Þorw sauhtnesse mowe sum ende take. Ac what is hit euer þe bet Þat Riht and Soþ ben I-set, Bote heo wite wel peesMS. þeos? Rihtes Mester hit is and wes In vche dom pees to maken. Schal I þenne beo forsaken Whon eueriche good for meMS. fourme is wrouht And to habben me bi-þouhtorig. bitouht. H. be in thowght, Fr. retreit? AndSim. Ac, H. But, Fr. Mes he meMS. ne louede neuere to fere Þat Merci, my suster, nul not here. Off vs foure, ffader, I-chul telle þe Hou me þinkeþ hit ouȝte to be. Whon ffoureMS. þe ff. beþ to-gedere I-sent To don an euene Iuggement, And schul þorw skil alle and some Ȝiuen and demen euene dome, Þer ne ouȝte no dom forþ gon Er þen þe foure ben aton; At on heo moten at-stonden alle And loken seþþen hou dom wol falle. Be vs ffoure þis I telle: We beoþ not alle of on spelle; Boþe Ich and Merci We be-clepeþ þe dom forþi; Hit is al as Riȝt and Soþ wol deme, Merci ne me nis hit not qweme. Wiþ-outen vs þer is bale to breme:vv. 500-1 om. in Sim. Fr.: Sanz nus est trop flaellez, Pur co doit troveir pitiez. ffor-þi, ffader, þow nime ȝeme! In the Fr. vv. 503-512 precede v. 485, and vv. 509-10 precede v. 503.Of vche goodschipe Pees is ende, Ne fayleþ no weole þer heo wol lende, Ne wisdam nis not worþ an hawe Þer Pees fayleþ to felawe; And hose Pees loueþ, wiþ-outen gabbe, Pees wiþ-outen ende he schal habbe. Mi word ouȝte ben of good reles,Fr. Mon dit doit porter grant fes. ffor þou art kyng and prince of pes. ffor-þi þou ouȝtest to here me, And Merci my suster, þat clepeþ to þe Þat þe þral, þe prisoun, Mote come to sum Raunsoun. Vre wille, ffader, þou do sone And here vre rihte bone! ffor Merci euere clepeþ to þe Til þat þe prison dilyuered be, And I-chul fleon and neuere come Bote my sustren ben sauȝt and some." ÞE kynges sone al þis con heren Hou his sustren hem to-beeren, And seiȝ þis strif so strong awaken, And Pees and Merci al forsaken; Þat wiþ-outen help of his wisdome Ne mihten heo neuere to-gedere come. "Leoue ffader," quaþ he, "Ich am þi sone, Of þi wit and of þi wone, And þi wisdam [me] clepeþ me; And so muche þou louedestH. louest me Þat al þe world forr. þorȝ, Fr. par moi. me þou wrouȝtest, And so þou me in werke bouȝtest;H. in thy werk browghtest. Fr. Dont tes fez tuz me ovres sunt. r. brouȝtest, from brou|ken = use (forced form)? ffor we beoþ on in one fulnesse, In miht, in strengþe, and in heiȝnesse; I-chulle al don þat þi wille is, ffor þou art kyng Rihtwis. So muche, ffader, ich nyme ȝeme Of þis strif þat is so breme, Þat for þe tale þat Merci tolde þe fful sore þe prisun reweþ me; ffor-þi he reweþ me wel þe more ffor Merci euere clepeþ þin ore. Þou art, ffader, so milsful kyng: Hire we schul heren of alle þing.541-4 cf. Fr.: Misericorde merci crie: Premerement serad oie. Al i-chulMS. ȝe schulen, H. Alle here wyll I chull done. Fr. Trestut son uoler ferai. And sauhten Soþ and hire ful sone. Nimen I-chulle þe þralles weden, As Soþ & Riht hit wolden and beoden,Fr. En verite e en dreiture And al one I-chul holde þe doom As Iustise ouhte to don,Fr.: Sustendrai le iugement E kank 'a iustice apent, And maken I-chule Pees to londe come,E peis en terre frai crier And Pees & Riht cussen & be sauȝt & some, And druyuenr. dryuen out Werre, Nuy and Onde, And sauen al þeH. thi, Fr. ta folk in londe." HOse þis forbysene con, He may openliche i-seo bi þon Þat al þis ilke tokenyngeFr. K'iceste signefiance Est en dieu une puissance. Is Godes in-siht, Almihti kynge. Wiþ-[out]r. But? God þe ffader nis maked nouht, Þorw God þe Sone is al þing wrouht,Fr.: De deu le pere est tute riens, Par deu le fiz sunt fet tuz biens, And alle þing is folfuld out-riht Þorw God þe holigostes miht: And alle þreo beþ on, þouh hit be so, In one fulnesse and in no mo. He ȝiueMS. ȝiueþ, H. ȝeue his Blessynge wiþ Mouþ & honde To alle þat þis writ vnderstonde. ȜE habbeþ I-herd as ich ow tolde, ffor whi God þe world maken wolde, And hou Adam forles þorw synne World and Heuene, and al Mon-kynne: Þat for miȝt ne strengþe ne for no þing Noom. in H. mon nedde of him-self a Couryng,Fr. recoverance Ne Angel miȝte Mon helpe on none wyse, Ne Mon miȝte him-self fro deþe aryse.Fr.: Ne angle nel pout rechater Ne home de mort relever. Þenne moste nede beo þorw vche doom Þat God of heuene Mon bi-com, Mon þe deþ þolen þorw serwen ryue, And God vp rysen from deþ to lyue— Elles were alle for-lore to nouht Þat God hedde in þe world I-brouht.H. i-wrowght Fr. Kar autrement peri feust Tut quank'en siecle eust. Herkeneþ [whuch]MS. vchone Loue and Boxumnesse, Whuch Milce and eke Swetnesse, Þat God from heuene alihte[n] cheesMS. and chees; H. to alyȝt ches; cf. v. 1404. ffor O [seli shep]MS. Mon, H. sele shepe, Fr. s'owaille. þat he lees! [Ninti nine he leuede]MS. þritti ȝeer he liuede, H. His fadur blisse he leuede,Fr. Nonante noef i laissa; see Weymouth. and eode To sechen on in vncouþ þeode. Þenne nis þer such herde-mon non, Ne nonom. in II. so milsfulMS. miȝtful, Fr. merciable lord as he is on! Whose wolde his herte on such lord holde Þat so muche loue him kuiþe wolde, Þat lyk him-self wolde him make And siþen deþ þolyen for his sake: Er him ouȝte þe herte to springe Þen he scholde him wraþþe for eny þinge. HErkeneþ now forþure atte frome How vr Saueor wolde come. To Abraham þe tiþinges comen; Þe prophetes hit vnder-nomen, Þat is Moyses and Ionas, Abacuk and Helyas, Daniel and Ieremye, Dauid and Ysaye, And EliseuMS. Elisen and Samuel Siggeþ Godes comynge wel. Wonder hit were hem alle to telle; Ac herkeneþ hou Ysaye con spelle: Puer natus est nobis, filius datus est nobis "A child þer is I-boren to vs, And a sone I-ȝeuen vs, Þat schal vp holden his kynedome; And al þus schal ben his nome: Wondurful, God, and of miht, And redeful, and fader ariht Of al þe world þat her-aftur schal ben, Prince of Pees me schal him sen"— Þeos beþ þe nomen, as ȝe mowe leeuen, Þat þe prophetes himH. to him ȝeeuen. Ȝif ȝe wolen heren, tellen I-chulle How þat child is wonderfolle. Such wonder nas neuer I-herd in sawe, Ne neuere schal bi none dawe ffor no tymer. þinge? Fr. Pur riens ke peust avenir þat euer schal come, As, God of heuene Mon bi-come. ffor hose now I-seȝe heereExemplum A child þat riht I-limed nere, Þat þreo ffeet and þreo honden beere; And a-noþer þat oþerweis weere, Þat hedde ffoot or Hond forlore; And heo weore boþe so I-bore: Weoren heo wonderfol, þeose two? Nay, forsoþe, neoren heo, no, ffor þe on hedde kuynde ouer meþ, And þat oþer to luyte, and so hit geþ, Ac hit is as hit mot nede ben, Of vn-mete kuynde a forschipte streon.Fr. mustre, monster Ak þat mihte Muche wonder benExemplum Ȝif me miȝte eny [mon]H. seche a mon, Fr. un home I-seon Þat Monnes kuynde hedde al ariht, Þat him neore to luite ne to muche wiht, So þat he were al soþfast mon Þat no forschippyng weore him on, And eke were good hors wiþ-alle! Such þing may neuer bi-falle; fforFr. mes hose seȝe a such gederyng, He mihte hit clepe a wonder þing. And ȝit is more wonder a þousend-folde Of þe child þat Ysayȝe of tolde And clepede him wonderful, for þon Þat he is soþ God and soþ Mon. ffor of Monhede ne wonteþ him nouht; And þorw him is al þing I-wrouht; And wiþ-outen him is synneH. withoute synne he is Fr.: D'umanite ne li faut rien, E kil est plein deu, co veum bien: Par lui tute rien est fet, E sanz li nule rien n'est, Kar en defaute n'est pas fet Com auant vous ai retret. euere, ffor woneH. wone therof dude he neuere, Ne no schaft þorw him miȝte lees, As bi-foren I-rad wes.cf. v. 228. Oþur God nis þen he þat heuene dihte,r. drihte? cf. v. 915. Þat from heuene dudeH. to erthe alihte And vnder vre wede vre kynde nom And al soþfast Mon bi-com. And whon he wolde alles bi-come Mon, He moste be boren of a wommon, Þulke schaft to vnderfonge wiþ-alle Þat ouȝte to Monnes kynde bi-falle. GOd noldeH. myȝht, Fr. pout alihte in none Manere But in feir stude and in clere. In feir stude and clene siker hit wes Þer god al-mihti his In ches: In a Castel wel comeliche, Muche and ffeirr. fer or siker? Fr. Bien fermez and loueliche; Þat is þe Castel of alle flour, Of Solas and of Socour.The same allegory of Mary as a Castle is treated in the Festial, 2nd sermon on Assumption-day. In þe MercMS. Mere; merc = border. Fr. En la marche est assis. he stont bi-twene two, Ne haþ he ferlak for no fo: ffor þe tour= Castel is so wel wiþ-outen, So depe I-diched al-abouten, Þat none kunnes asaylyng Ne may him deruen for no þing. He stont on heiȝ Roche and sound, ÞatMS. And is I-planed in to þe ground,Fr. E bien polie de ci quaval Þat þer ne mai wone non vuel þing Ne derue no gynnes castyng.Fr.: Ne engin ni peut geter Ki de rien le peust grever. And þauȝ he be so loueliche, He is so dredful and hateliche To alle þulke þat ben his fon, Þat heo flen him euerichon.681-4 om. in Fr. ffo[u]r smale toures þerMS. þat beþ abouten To witen þe heiȝe tour wiþ-outen. Seþþe beoþ þre Bayles wiþ-alle, Soom. in H. & Fr. feir I-diht wiþ strong walle, As heo beoþ here-after I-write— Ne may no mon þe feirschipe I-wite, Ne no tonge ne may hit telle, Ne þouȝt þenche, ne Mouþ spelle. On trusti Roche heo stondeþ faste, And wiþ depe diches beþ bi-caste; And þe carnels soom. in H. stondeþ vp-rihtFr. E aurne de gran kerneaus Wel I-planed and feir i-diht. Seue Berbicans þer beoþ I-wrouht, Wiþ gret ginne al bi-þouht, And euerichon haþ ȝat and tour: Þer neuer ne fayleþ socour; Neuer schal foFr. Ne ja n'averat ennui Ki là veut quere refui. (the translator read ennemi). him stonde wiþ Þat þider wol flen to sechen griþ. Þis Castel is siker and feir abouten, And is al depeynted wiþ-outen Wiþ þreo heowes þat wel beþ sene. So is þe foundement al grene Þat to þe Roche faste liþ; Wel is þat þer murþe I-sihþ!Fr. De grant docour ni faut point. ffor þe greneschipe lasteþ euere And his heuh ne leoseþ neuere. Seþþen a-boutenr. aboue? om. in H. þat oþer heuȝ So is Inde and eke Bleu, Þat þe Middel heuȝ we clepeþ ariht, And schyneþ so feire and so briȝt. Þe þridde heuȝ an-ouemast, Ouer-wriȝeþ al and so is I-castFr. La tierce colur par enson Les karneaus covre environ; Plus est vermeille que nest rose, E piert une ardante chose; Tant reflambeie environ Ke tut covre le dongon. Þat wiþ-Innen and wiþ-outen Þe castel lihteþ al-abouten, And is Raddore þen euere eny Rose schal, ÞatH. Hit þuncheþ as hit barnde al. Wiþ-Inne, þe Castel is whit schinynge So þe snowȝ þat is sneuwynge, And casteþ þat liȝt so wyde After longr. Andelong? H. Enlong on; Fr. De lung þe tour and be-syde; ÞatH. Ther neuer comeþ þer wo ne wouȝ, Ac swetnesse þer is euere I-nouȝ. A-Midde þe heiȝeFr. En mi la tur plus hauteine Est surdant une fonteigne Tour Is springynge A welle þat euere is eornynge, Wiþ foure stremes, þat strikeþ wel And erneþ vppon þe grauel And fulleþ þe diches a-boute þe wal. Muche Blisse þer is ouer-al! Ne dar he seche non oþer leche Þat mai riht of þis water cleche! In þulke derworþe feire tour Þer stont a Trone wiþ muche honour, Of whit Iuori, and feirore of liht Þen þe someres-day whon heeorig. heo is briht; Wiþ Cumpas I-þrowen and wiþ gin al I-doFr.: Par engin est compassez.; Seuene steppes þer beoþ þer-to, Þat ooMS. so, H. oo feire wiþ Ordre I-tiȝedH. i-joyned beoþ. ffeiror þing In world no mon seoþ: ffor heuene-bouwe Is a-bouten I-bent, Wiþ alle þe hewes þat him beþ I-sent. Neuere so feirH. so f. a Chayȝere Nedde kyng ne Emperere. Muche more feirschupe I-nouȝ þer wes Þer God Almiȝten his In ches. Þenne nis þer such Castel non, Ne neuer nas, but þulke on, Ne neuer-eft after be ne schal; ffor God of heuene hit dihte al And wrouȝte hit him-self, and al dude To alihten in þulke feyre stude ffrom his kin[e]dam aboue753 & 755 added to the Fr.— He cudde þe stude muche loue! Þis is þe Castel of loue and lisse, Of Solace, of Socour, of Ioye and blisse, Of Hope, Of Hele, Of Sikernesse, And ful of alle Swetnesse. ÞIs is þe Mayden[es bodi]H. maydons body, Fr. Cest le cors de la pucele so freo; ÞerMS. þat neuer nas non bote heo Þat wiþ so fele þewes I-warnedFr. garnie wesr. nes So þat swete Mayden Marie wes. Heo stont in þe MercMS. Mere bi-twene two: Heo schilde= schilt, 3 pr. ind.; Fr. Si nus est escu e targe Contre tuz nos enemis vs alle from vre fo Þat vs a-wayteþ day and niht, Heo vs helpeþ wiþ al hire miht. Þe Roche þat is so trewe and trusti,Fr. si bien polie Þat is þe Maydenes herte, forþi Þat neuer synne þer-wiþ-Inne com,Fr. Konques en mal ne mollist Ac heo to seruen God al hire nom And wuste hireom. hire wiþ muche boxumnesse, Hire Maidenhod wiþ swetnesse. Þe ffoundement þat faste to þe Roche liȝþ, And þe feire greneschipe þer-wiþ, [Is] þe Maydenes bi-leeue so riht, Þat haþ al hire bodi I-liht; ffor hire bi-leeue þat is so trewe, Þat euere is grene and euere newe,Fr. La verdour que tant est bele Sa foi tut tens renovele.H. For here beleve is so true That ever hit is grene and newe. ffor hireom. in H. and Fr. bi-leeue is apertement Of alle vertues foundement. Of þe Middel heuȝ Is to witeFr. E puis est la meine colour, De si tres bele doucour. C'est la signefiance Ke od tendrurThe translator read tendron. H. wes here lyvyng. en esperance Servi tut tens son seignor En humilite e en doucor Þe swetnesse and þe feirschipe; Þat is þe bi-tokenyng: In goode hope, as so ȝong þing,The translator read tendron. H. wes here lyvyng. [Heo] was ooMS. so bisy In swetnesse To seruen God In Boxumnesse. Þe þridde heuȝ and þe on-ouemast, Þat haþ ouer-al his liht I-cast And as þauȝ hit barnde al hit is— Nis non of so muche pris: Þat is þe clere loue and briht Þat heo is al wiþ I-liht, And I-tent wiþ þe fuir of loue, To serue god þat is hire aboue. ÞE ffoure smale toures abouten Þat wi[te]þMS. wiþ, cf. v. 686. þe heiȝe Tour wiþ-outen, ffoure hed-þewes þat aboute hire [me] i-seoþ, ffoure vertues cardinals þeiMS. þer, H. thei beoþ: Þat is Strengþe and Sleihschupe, Rihtfulnesse and Warschupe;MS. worschupe, H. warship, Fr. temperance Euerichon wiþ a ȝat wiþ ginne, Þat may non vuel come þer-Inne. And whuche beoþ [þe] þreo bayles ȝet Þat wiþ þe carnels beþ so wel I-set, And I-cast wiþ cumpas and walled a-bouten,Fr. A beau compas environ Si defendent le dongon Þat witeþ þe heiȝe tour wiþ-outen? [B]ote þe InemasteFr. Cele a la plus haut estage Bayle, I wot, Bi-tokneþ hire holy Maidenhod, Þat neuer for no-þing I-worsed nas— So ful of Godes grace heo was. ÞE Middel Bayle, þat wite ȝe, Bi-tokneþ hire holy chastite. And seþþen þe ou[t]emasteFr. foreine Bayle Bi-tokneþ hire holy sposayle. Riht me clepeþ hem Bayles, for-þi Þat heo habbeþ þis ladi in here Bayli, Þat hire-self one, Makeles,sanz per Is Mayden chast and weddet wes. Þorw on of þeos bayles he mot teon Þat wol on ende I-borwed beon. ÞE Seue [Berbicans]MS. Carnels abouten, Þat wiþ gret gin beon I-wrouȝt wiþ-outen And witeþ þis Castel so wel Wiþ= against, Fr. de Arwe and wiþ Qwarel: Þat beþ þe seuen vertues wiþ winne To ouercome þe seuen dedly sinne. Þat is: pruide, þe biginnynge And þe Roote of al vuel þinge, Al maat and ouer-comen wes Þorw Boxumnes þat heo ches; And hire trewe loue ouer-com Envye; And hire Abstinence Glotonye; And Lecherye heo made fle Þo[r]uȝ hire holy chastite; And wasMS. was was, H. all-so she distruyed Couetyse Þorw hire Largesse in vche wyse; And euerMS. eueri, H. evermore wraþþe heo ouer-com Þorw MekenesseFr. & H. pacience þat heo nom; And hire gostliche gladynge Destruyed Sleuþe þorw alle þinge. ÞE welle springeþ of alleH. alle of grace Þat fulleþ þe diches in vche a place.Fr. La fontaigne isurt de grace, Ki tut le chastel embrace; Deu sa grace i ad done E par mesure devise. Godes grace to-deleþ þisH. so deled is Þorw Meth wiþ-al as his wille is. Ac he louede so þis mayden apliȝt Þe folle of grace he hire ȝaf out-riht; Þorwh whom þe grace þat ouer-fleot Socoureþ al þe world ȝut. ffor-þi me may hire riht clepe and calle O Blessed ladiH. One i-blessed; ladi om. Fr. Sur tutes autres benuree. ouer oþere alle. And what mowe þe diches be But hire þolemodeFr. volentrive pouerte, Þat nones kunnesr. ginnes? cf. vv. 680, 675. Fr.: Dont nul engin ne Þeut geter Ke le chasteu peust rien grever. assaylyng Ne may derue þe tour for no þing— Þorw whomr. whon? þe fend is ouer-comen, And his miht al by-nomen.Fr. has 4 vv. more. FOr þis is þe ladi so gent & fre Þat God seide of to þe Neddre on þe tre, Þat þer scholde comen a wommon blyþeH. blyve Þat scholde al his pousteFr. chief, H. hed to-dryue. I-blessed be þis Buyrde of prys, Þat ouer al oþure I-blessed is, Þat so feir was and good so sone Þat of hir bodiFr. alme, H. soule God made his trone To his owne gistenynge, And nom flesch & blod of hire, to bringe His folk out of prisoun; Þat was vre Garysoun. Fr. Iceste dame est bele assez Kant tant par ad de bontez, Plus ke nule creature; Meis quant li solaus de droiture, Deuz, son seint cors enumbrat, Mil itant embeli lad. Þis ladi is feir & good & fre Whon heo haþ so muche bounte, More þen eny schaft þat wes; ffor-þiH. And tho þe Rihtwys soneH. the sonne of ryȝhtwesnes, hire ches And schadewede on hire in wolde,= in virtue; or r. holde = flesh? H. And on heere when he shadowe wolde AndH. He feirede hir more a þousend-folde. ÞoruȝMS. þoruȝ þe faste ȝat he con in teo, Andom. in H. at þe out-ȝong he lette [hit] faste beo. How so þat was beo we stille, ffor of alle þing God may don his wille. A, derworþe qween so gent & fre, Þat helpestMS. helpeþ alle þat fleoþ to þe: Mi soule is comen to þe for nede; Þat at þi ȝate bat & loude doþH. con grede, Bat & gredeþ and loude gonH. con crye: "Helpe me, Swete Mayden Marie! Vndo, Ladi! I þe bi-seche. Þou lete me a luitel cleche Of þulke [grace] þat alle [con] frouere Þat gostliche beoþ in herte pouere. Lo hou I am bi-set heer-oute Wiþ my þreo fon al-a-boute: Þe fend, þat wiþ me fihteþ euere, Þe world, my flesch—heo ne stunteþ neuere, Wiþ-outen eny Meþ on me heo foþ,H. voth Swiþe gret harm heo me doþ. Gret parlement heo habbeþ I-nome. Þe fend furst isH. is formest forþ I-come, Wiþ þreo hostes he deþ me gret wo: Wiþ pruide, & wraþþe, & sleuþe also. Þe world me haþ wiþ two hostes bi-stonde: Þat is wiþ couetyse and Onde. And my fflesch me fondeþ to spille Wiþ Glotenye and wiþ vuelH. foule, Fr. fou delit wille. Gret wraþþeH. fyȝht; Fr. Grant damage (al. Bataile) m'ont esmu heo habbeþ to me I-nome; I am as campion ouer-comeFr. Champium sui ja recru.; But þou me helpe, Mayde Marie, Ichabbe I-lore þe Maystrie . . . . .2 vv. om., cf. H.: Thow that art to alle febulle leche, Thow let me of thy dyches cleche,Fr. Tu que fiebles redrescez, Fai me poser au fossez, Ou li chastel est estable E charite rest conestable. Þer þe Castel is faste & stable, And Charite is Constable." Of þis castel ichabbe a luitel told, Ac more me miȝte a þousend-fold: ffor alle þe godschupus þat in þe world is Out of þis Castel I-comen is. Þorw þis laddre God, heuene d[r]ihte,H. God Allmyȝht ffrom heuene in to eorþe alihte And nom of hire his Monhede, Þorw whomr. whom? he wreyFr. covri his Godhede. Þis is þe ȝard þat bereþ þe flour, ÞatH. The Maiden þat bar hire creatour. And þus þe "child is I-boren to vs, And such a Sone I-ȝeue to vs." And nis he "wonderful" þerfore, Whon he is þus for vs I-bore? So muche wonder nis of no þinge As two kuynden to-geder bringe, And þat eiþer kuynde wiþ-alle Habbe þat wole to heom bi-falle, Þat neuer nouþer ne wonte no wiht, Ac þat eiþer habbe al his riht. Þat Is Ihesu, Godes sone, Þat from heuene to eorþe wolde come To sauȝten his sustren þat were to-boren, And dilyueren þe prison þat was for-loren; Two kuynden he haþ, we witen bi þon, ÞatH. for he is soþ God and soþ Mon. . . . .A passage of the Fr. text, vv. 845-912, is om. here and in H. BI-hold now, Mon, to Godes miht And his deden hou heo beoþ dihtFr. Regardez, homme, sa puis|sance E sa grandor sanz flnance, Ou circumscrip n'est mie, E veez com il s'umilie.— Þat þou a-boute nouȝt fer se,H. And this all-abowte thou well be-se AcH. And bi-hold hou Boxum he wolde be Þat he wolde be boren of wommon And for vre sake bi-comen mon. And seþþen be-hold hou he vs redeþ And in to sauete vs ledeþ, On ful swete manere & on non oþur, And seiþ þus to vs: "leue broþur, I seo þe mis-lykenH. myslyche i-gon & al for-ȝemedFr. Io te voi ci esgarez And out of þin owne lond I-flemed, And þou seost wel þat for no þing Þow hast of þi-self no keueryng. Ne beo þou in wonhope non, Ac ful siker þou beo þeron: Ȝif þou wole me louenr. leuen, H. leve, Fr. crerre and vnderstonde, I-chul þe bringe in to þin owne londe. EntentyflicheFr. Oez moi tut sulement þou herken to me And do þat ich comaunde þe. Mi ȝok is softe I-nowh to weren, And my burþene liȝt I-nouh to beren. To Merci bi-houe H. To mercies bone; Fr. Pitie pur toi m'ad esmu. I am al I-nome, And þus I am for þe I-come. And ich þe rede þou suwe me, I-chulleH. And I-ch. þe batayle nyme for þe. To ple I-chulle þis princesi. e. Merci; Fr. Primes por toi voil pleider hauen, And þi rihte I-chulle crauen. ffor Icham of þi lynage: I may crauen þin heritage; And Icham of freo nacion: Me oute I-here my reson; And Ichabbe I-wust wiþ wynne Þe þreo lawen wiþ-outen synne.vv. 969-70 added. ffor þe Ichulle to Batayle wende. sikerMS. ffor siker beo þou of ful good ende: ffor Ichulle an ende ouurcome þat fiht And to-dreynen= dereynen, prove al þi riht. Ne darstou on erþe þenchen elles nouht But God and þin euencristen to loue in trewe þouȝt." Lord, wȝuch freschipeMS. frenschipe. Fr. franchise— hose nome ȝeme— Whon he þat welde3 sgl. ind. al þing & al mai deme, Vs schewed such frenschip & swetnes And a forbysne of Boxumnes! Ac þulke forbisne me luitel telleþ to, And selden in þe world [is] I-seȝen, ne ȝore haþ do.H. And selden in the world this vertu is do. Fr. Mes cele ensamp est poi tenue E trop reument el mund veue. ffor þe worldlich mon euere I-liche Loueþ þing þat is worldliche, Ac þe gost of charite & of þolemodnesse Loueþ euer goodschipe & Boxumnesse. ffor whon to þe world him ȝeueþ þe mon And þe worldes good him waxeþ on, He ne þenkeþ on God ne non oþer þynge Bote worldes catel to-geder bringe; And whon þe catel haþ þe Maystrie a last,H. om. a last HitMS. þat hit is in his cofre bi-loke so fast, H. Hit maketh mon so rebell and hye Fr. Si ferm enz ses laz le lie (laz = lacs; the translator understood laie = coffer) Þat al he bicomeþ ouergart proud And mis-doþ his neiȝebors boþe stille & loud; No-þing ne wilneþ he largesse, But lordschupe and heiȝnesse; Þe forbysne of Boxumnesse I-wys Al þorw pruyde forȝeten is. Þeose ne mowen Ihesus suwen wiþ, ffor heore dede al to-lyth, cf. Fr.: Icous ihesum ne siwent mie, Kar lur fet les contralie. Ne his red ne leeueþ heo nouȝt. Whi þenne wolden heo wilnen ouȝt Of heritage in his kyn[e]dom— Þauȝ he in Batayle þe ple bi-wonv. 1004 om. in Fr. H. That he thorgh plee & bataylle wane— Whon heo doþ al þat he for-bat,r. forbet And no-þing doþ of þat he hat,r. het Ac euer secheþ pride and heiȝnesse, Ne biddeþSim. kepeþ, H. loveth, Fr. voillent heo nouȝt of boxumnesse? ffor-þi Lucifer, as ȝe habbeþ herd telle, ffel from heuene a-doun to helle; And also, I drede, heo scholdenr. schullen anende, Þulke þat suche werkes doþ, aftur him wende.H. adds 2 vv. Ac I ne sigge hit not for þon Þat mai ful wel eueriche goode mon Habbe gret lordschupe & heiȝnesse, Castels & toures & gret richesse, And may wel donMS. welden & godes wille holde And libbe God to queme, wel, ȝif he wolde, Ȝif he lyueþ in loueMS. londe & in Boxumnesse, In Soþschupe & in Rihtwysnes; ffor God wilneþ no-þing on eorþe her But al monnes herte wiþ trewe loue & cler. Nou mihte sum Mon asken þus: Hou wolde God plede for vs, Hou he eny batayle nom And won vre riȝte & [þe]MS. a fend ouer-com. Lustneþ þenne to me nou, And I-chulle ow tellen hou. Here is a change in the metre.Þo Ihesu, Godes sone, in þe world was I-bore, So stille & derne he was þe fend fore Þat he of his come riht nouȝt nuste, AcMS. As to beo lord and syre ȝit euerer. eiwher? Fr. par tot he truste As he hedde ben—ac his miht was bi-nome Þo þat Ihesu was I-bore & in to þe world I-come.v. 1034 om. in Fr. Wel þe fend him seiȝ In monnes weeden, Ac he nust what he was, ne wȝuch weren his deden.H. ne of what dede. Fr.: E riens ne sout de quel affere He him seiȝ wel Mon &om. in Sim. I-comen of Monkunne, Ac euere in þe world he liuede wiþ-oute sinne: Þe fend wondrede swiþe & seide: "what artou? Wher þou be Godes sone þat art I-comen nou? Al þis wyde world I-chul ȝeuen þe, So þat þou bouwe & honourer. adore; Fr. aorer, H. worship me." Respondit Iesus:Þo seide Ihesu: "go a-wei, Sathan, go! Þi kuynde lord ne schalt þow fonde so." Diabolus dicit:"What, wenestou I ne mowe vnderstonde Þat Icham prince & lord of þis londe, And in þe Seisyne habbe longe I-be, Þorw þe heiȝe kyng þat grant hit me? Alle þing I seo, and alle þing Ich wot, But one þi þouȝt no-þing I not. Þou nymest ful muche an hond To be-nymen me eny þing in þis lond. Þauȝ I nabbe miht ouer þe, Wenestou my preie to be-nyme me? Nay, for þat foreward þorw Soþ & Riht ffaste in godes court is congraffetFr. cyrografez apliht Þat hose passede godes heste,MS. repeats Hose passede godes heste, He scholde be myn and in sunne leste, An ende dyen þorw hard deþ I-nouh; And þe kyng of heuene nul do no wouh. What, wenestou such foreward brekeFr.: Mes bien tendra le covenant Þat was In Godes court I-speke?" Respondit Ihesus:And þo swete Ihesu him onswerde and tolde: "Þat foreward on ende welMS. god wel Fr.: Li covenanz fu bien tenu was I-holde; Ac þou hit bi-gonne formast to breke, Þo þou þorw treson to Monkuynde speke And seidest þat treo him was forbodevv. 1067-70 added. Lest he hedde þe miht of Gode, Ac, wolde he of þe Appel ete, Þenne þou seidest he hedde I-gete,H. And wolde Goddys beheste lete fforom. in H. he scholde konnen al þat god con, And he scholde neuer die for þon. He agulte þorw þe, & elles he wer skere. Vnderstond my reson: ȝif hit skile were ÞatMS. þauȝ þou heddest alle forward of me, And þou noldest holden hemom. hem? as anont þeH. adds 2 vv.?" Diabolus dicit:"A, Ich am bi-trayȝed," quodr. quaþ; MS. qd þe fend þo, "Nou Ich am þorw ple ouercomen so.Fr. O, dist le diables, trai sui Kant en pleidant sui vencui. Of whom & hou comeþ hit, Such reson & such wit, Þat þou so baldeliche darst nymen þe fforte dispute a-ȝeynes me? Þorw ple Ichabbe I-loren al anon. AcMS. And, H. But, Fr. mes so ne may hit nouȝt gon, Algate he haþ mis-don, Þorw whonMS. whom he is in my prison; And bote he beo for-bouȝt of me, He ne ouȝte from wo disseysed be."Fr.: Ne sanz redempcion por li Ne serrai a tort deseisi. Respondit Iesus:Þo swete Ihesu to him con sugge: "And Ichulle him þenne for-bugge." [Diab.] "Ȝif þou wolt him bugge to his feore,= price He schal costen þe ful deore." [Jes.] "Hou deore?" quaþ Ihesu þo. [Diab.] "As he is worþ; er þenne he go Out of bonde of my prison." [Jes.] "Þat is skile," quaþ Ihesu, "and good reson; Ne kep I nouȝt to-ȝeynes riht Þorw Maystrie bi-nyme þe no wiht."Fr. 2 vv. more: "Fai me le donc volen|tiers!" "Kest co donc ke tu quiers?" Diabolus dicit:"No; ac er he dilyuered be, Þou most also muche[worþ]delyuere me As al þis world is nou [worþ] atte frome, Wiþ alle þulke þat schulen heraftur come."Fr.: Rendez moi donc que tant vaille Com font ore tuz cil del mund E quanka pres tuz iurs vendrunt. Ihesus dixit:"Bleþeliche," quod Ihesus, "al ichul don þis. ffor my luttel fynger more worþ is Þen such an hondred worldes ben, Wiþ al þat folk þat me may herafter sen." Diabolus dicit:Þe fend þo to Ihesu onswere con: "Þat is al soþ, I seo bi þon, ffor þou maiȝt al þe world demen & dihte; fforr. But nou ouer þe nabbe I no mihte.Fr.: Kar tut le mund pus iustiser, Mes toi ne pus riens aprimer And woldestou þi fynger ȝeue, þauȝ þou so sugge, So vnworþ & so vyl chaffare to bugge?" Respondit Iesus:"Ȝe, and al my bodi, for his raunsoun, But I-chul him habbe out of prisoun."v. 1114 added. [Diab.] "Þou most ȝit more do ar þou him habbe so: Þolen on eorþe wandreþe & wo; And, ȝif þou wole a-menden his wouȝ, Þou most deþ þolen þorw strong pyne I-nouȝ."Fr. has 4 vv. more. [Jes.] And þo swete Ihesu him onswerde toMS. þo: "Al þat þat þou hast seid, al schal be do,— ffor Soþ seide hit ouȝte ben so, And Riht com after [& ȝef] þe dom þo.so H. Fr.: Kar verite le devise E puis si ad iuge iustise. And more þen þou hast i-seid I-chulle don, To diliuere þe þral out of prison." Þo was þe fend siker, & wende wel eþe fforte haue bi-ȝeten þorw his deþe;— Ac he was cauȝt and ouer-comen, As fisch þat is wiþ hok I-nomen, Þat whon þe worm he swoleweþ a last He is bi þe hok I-tiȝed fast. A, Mon, nim ȝeme & vnderstond þe Hou fynliche in herte god loueþ þe,Fr. Ore esgardez la doucor E le conseil al sauveor: Ke tant est leger a suffrir Dont garisun peut venir. Þat wolde deþ þolen þorw pyne wiþ-outen meþ To saue þi soule from pyne of deþ! Al vre gult on him he wolde take, And lodliche was bi-lad al for vre sake. ffor he þat neuer no sunne dude Ne neuer nas wiþ fulþe I-founden in no stude In alle þe lymes þat haþ þe mon Seþþen Adam formest sunne bi-gon, Wolde þat his lymes alle I-pyned were, To maken vs of sunne al quit & skere. ffor vre vnwrestschupeFr. iniquite here Þe coroune of þornes on his hed he beerer. ber; And for vre folyeH. syȝht myspende, Fr. pur le nos fous regarz. r. fol eȝe also His Eȝen weore blyntwharuetH. blynwherued, Fr. bendez bo; And al was his face bi-foulet wiþ spot, And eke grete boffetes among me him smot; And for vre speche vnwreste & vyl Atter heo him dude to drinke I-meynt wiþ Eisil;H. adds 2 vv. Þe otewyse werkes as þere-anondenr. anonde, H. ffor vnlawfull werk us avonde (!) Fr. Et pur nos mavois fez foreins Se lessa percer piez e meins. He lette boþe þurlen his feet and hondenr. honde, plur.; And for vre woke þouȝtes he þolede smerte Þat me his syde þurlede riȝt to þe herte. What miht he þenne do for vs more? No tonge may tellen of þat foreH. of his soore Ne no monnes herte ne mihte þenche so As he þolede for vs pyne and wo. And ho is þat ne miȝte habbe pite Of such frendschupe & charite? Suche beo þe duntes of Batayle Þat he þolede for vs wiþ-outen fayle. Ac [þo]om., Fr. Mes quant, H. And he he þolede to deþe ben I-brouȝt Vre deþ þorw his deþ he haþ for-bouȝt. ffor more þolede he an hundret-folde Serwe & pyne, þo he dyen wolde, Þen þe fend mihte for eny synne Leggen hondom. in H. Fr.: Ke diables neurent poeir A humeine nature charger. vppon monkunne. ffor þe soule loueþ þe bodi so Þat neuere heo nule him wende fro, ffor no pyne ne forH. ne for no sore, Þauȝ me hit to-hewe euermore, Er þe fyf wittes benr. han? Fr.: Ainz ke le cors eit perdu De tuz cinc sens la vertu loren out-riht, Al heore vertue and al heore miȝt; Þat is, þe Siht and þe herynge, Þe speche and þe Smellynge, And þe felynge, he schal leosen anSim. and ende Ar he wole from þe bodi wende; Kuynde ne may for no þinge Þolen her þe tiþelynge.r. to-delinge? Fr.: Kar nature ne peut soffrir L'alme einz del cors partir. Ac he þat alle þing mai welde, Doublede his peyne an hondred-felde: ffor þo he pynedeFr. pendi, H. honged on þe Crois, He ȝaf his soule wiþ loud vois. Þer he schewede þat he was God so, Vre Raunsum he dude þo; Þe bodi ȝit liuede wiþ-oute fayle, And so he ouercom þe Batayle. Kuynde ne mihte þole such peyne non, ffor þe fend ne miȝte hit neuer legen on.1189-90 om. in H. Fr.: Tant ne peut diable charger Ne nature endurer. A,MS. And Marie, Mayden schene, Mihtful Moder and Milde Qwene, ffor deol mungen I ne may Þe pyne þat þou þoledest þulke day. Ac þe prophecye of Symeon Was folfuld þo bi þon, As wiþ swerd in þulke stounde Þou heddest þo ful bitter wounde. Ac þi Ioye doublede an hondrut-folde Þo he from deþ vp rysen wolde— ffor nouȝt worþ weore his passion, Neore his Resurexion. Þou seȝe openliche in alle þinge Of his Batayle þe endynge, Þorw whomr. whom? þe fend was al mat And þe world for-bouȝt & brouȝt in stat. Þe trouþe of vs & þe be-leeue also Bi-leuede al in þe þo;cf. XXXVII. v. 83. In wonhope weore his disciples vchon, Ac þou weore studefast, euer In on— Ne miȝte þe no þing tornen out, In trewe bileue euere þou weore, stille & loud. Marie, Mooder of pite, Mayden ful of alle bounte, Vre bi-leeue was þo in þe, I-wis: And nou al vre hope is, Þat þou bi-seche þi sone for vs, Þat so on Rode for-bouȝt vs.— ȜE habbeþ I-herd of swete Ihesu Hou he þorw his muchel vertu Vs redeþ to goode euer-more, And hou he wolde vs plede fore, And hou he wolde to Batayle wende, And hou he hit ouer-com an ende. Nas þis a good redes-mon ÞatMS. þas vs so deore for-buggen con, And haþ I-rud= prepare, so Hom. 2, 133. vs þe way Þer vchone of vs þat wole he may To þe blisful Ioye come Þat so longe þorw adamFr. par Evain, through Eve. was bi-nome?— Vnderstondeþ nou forþure noþeles Hou he is God, and euere wes: And ȝe mouwe openliche I-seon Þat hit ne may not elles ben. O God al þe world wrouȝte, And þulke god vs alle forbouȝte. Oþer God nis non þen he, Þe God of whom I seide er þe: Persones þreo in þrille-hod And o God cleped in on-hod. Menal. Me may also, Clerkes þatom. þat. H. as clerkys con Fr.: E ses fez peut hom saveir E la puissance deu veeir: conne reden, I-seon his godhede þorw his deden: ffor al þe deden þat he dude here [Were] wiþ Godhede & Monhede I-meyntH. he dede. Fr.: Kar tuz ses fez furent mellez De hommesce e de deitez I-fere. And nym nou ȝeme & þou miht senexemplum Hou þat ilkeH. this thyng mihte ben. Hose hedde a swerd here Þat wel I-steled and kene were, And he hit in to þe fuir dude, Þat hit were brennynge in þe stude: Ho is þat þenne mihte, Whon hit barnde so brihte, Þe fuyr to-delen þe stel fro Oþer þe Stel from þe fuir mo? And hose wiþ þe swerd smite, Two kuynden he miȝte sen and wite: Þe Stel þorw kuynde kerueþ apliht, And þe fuir brande,H. barneth, Sim. brenneþ and þat is riht;Fr.: L'ascer trenchant per droiture E le feu ardant par nature And al of O swerd hit come. Also is of Ihesu, Godes sone: Two kuynden he haþ, we witen bi þon, Þat he is soþ God and soþ Mon. ffor atte neces of þis princee (!)Sim. ffor atte neoces of þis priuete; H. He shewed gret myraculle and privete; W. reads: ffor atte neces (r. no|ces) [he schewede] þis priuete. I think, þis p.—made is a later insertion. At þe Caane of Galylee A Gistnynge he made, Architriclyn, Þer he torned water to wyn.cf. Fr.: As noces seint archit[r]eclin Kant leawe changat en vin, Sis ydres i sunt pose E implir les deawe ad comande; Com homme emplir les roua, Com dieu leawe en vin changa. Sixe vessels þer weoren I-don: Of water he bad hem fulle son; As monMS. Anon, H. As by his monhede he bad don water þer-In, And as God he turned hit to wyn; And þis ilke dede was al onFr.: Et tut icest un oeur feu E domme e de verrai den. Of soþfast God and soþfast mon. And elles-wher þer he eode, Muche folkFr.: Ou tant de poeple siwi la him suwede of feole þeode, Þat fyf þousend men he haþ I-set And wiþ fyue louus & twey fissches hem fed, And of þe Relef þat hem leuede bi-fore Twelf cupe-ful weoren vp I-bore: As Mon he hem þe bred to-breek, And as God he haþ hem I-fulled ek. Of Laȝar also þou miht i-seon eþe, HouFr. Kant he him arerede from þe deþe, Þat foure dawes he leiȝ a-long In þe Buriles,Sim. buriels þat he stonk; Wiþ loud voys he clepede þus: "Laȝar, a-Rys and cum out to vs:" Riht as mon he clepede to him, And as God he arerede him. In alle his deden me may wel I-sen Þat he is God and euer schal ben. Þulke God alle þing dihte, Þat in þe swete Mayden alihte. Al vre be-leeue in him is, Vre treuþe, and vre hope, I-wis, Persones þreo in þrillihod, And O God þauȝ, in on-hod. Nou ȝe habbeþ I-herd witterly Hou he is god almihti. Ac his strengþe ne may non telle, Herte þenke, ne Mouþ spelle. ffor þe heiȝe nome Ihesu Haþ in him so muche vertu, Þat al þat is in heuene hiȝe, A-bouenH. in erthe, Fr. E en terre & bi-neoþen, feor and neiȝe, Bouweþ to þilke nome vchon. ffor-þi þer ne may hit telle non, His miht & his strengþe hou hit geþ, But as a Mon þe Rynde fleþ.Fr.: Mes come en rongant lescorce Sumwhat touchen Ichulle fondeTochier la voil apertement Solunc le mieux ke jentenc. Of þat Ich may vnderstonde. Þo Adam hedde I-loren þorw synne Heuene & eorþe & paradyses winne, Þe ffend hedde such miht þo Þat al þe world moste after him go; ffor whomMS. whon. Fr.: Celui pur ki le mund fu fet En son poeir out attreit þe world was furst wrouȝt He haþ him vnder I-brouȝt. Such strengþe he him þo ches Þat prince of al þe world he wes.Fr. Tant de poeir dones avoit Ke prince du mund se clamoit. Þer nas non for his goodschupe, ffor penaunce ne for holyschupe, Þauȝ he pynede him-self in flesch and felle, Þat þe fend ne ladde him to helle. AcMS. And, H. But, Fr. Mes. þe strengþe of Ihesu, Godes sone, Hym haþ al mated and ouer-come. Ouercomen and I-mat he was ful sone, Þo he wende of him to done As he hedde don of oþer alle Þat he lette in to helle falle— 1329-30 added to the Fr. Alle he ladde herbifore after his wille And in to helle conMS. com hem spille.H. In helle that he myȝht hem spylle. To þe croys he con come And wolde habben his soule I-nome. Ac he faylede, þe Traytour! He was a-bated of his tour!H. anowre. Fr.: Il est de son torn abatuz ffor Godes Godhede him haþ doun cast In to helle, and I-bounden fast. fforFr.: Ou il meimes est ale Od salme sa deite. 1339-40 added to the Fr. þorw his Godhede his soule eode Þidere, for hise þat hedden neode, Þat ȝore hedden him a-bide And sore longeden to gon him mide. Helle-ȝates he al to-breek, And to-daschte al þe fendes ek,Fr. Le poer du diable a toleit, A gret bite he bot, of helle nomFr. A enfern fist un grant mors, Ke tuz les soens entreit hors. And drouh alle hise out, vchon, Þat leeueden his comeMS. nome; H. comyng; Fr. venue & him knewe And serueden him wiþ herte trewe. Such strengþe nas neuer I-herd ar þis, Ne neuer schal, but of him, I-wis! ffor þe meste strengþe he al bi-reuede, Þat þe fend in þe world heuede.Fr. Ke tut le greingnor poeir Ke feust el mund fist mater. He was en-Armed ful stronge, Þat his ȝat wuste ful longe: Ac þo þe strengore himom. him?Fr. Meis quant li plus fort sorveneit, Ses espoilles lui ad toleit. ouer com, Gret preye he him bi-nom.Fr. 2 vv. more. ffor-þi him seiþ wel Ysaye, Þat seiþ in his prophecye Þat he scholde "MyhtfolMS. Myldefol" I-cleped ben. His strengþe may no mon I-seon, Ne no tonge ne mihte reden Ne þouȝt þenken his mihtful deden. ffor his miht me ouȝte him drede, And for his swetnes him loue ful nede. Þis is vre [s]childMS. child, H. shild and vre help, Vre strengþe and vre ȝelp, Vre be-leue and vre socour, Vre treuþe and vre honour; Þat so Boxum bi-com for vs, He ȝaf him-self to sauen vs.Fr. Ki tant se vout humilier E soi doner pur nus sauver. And al o God dude þis, ffader and sone and holigost, I-wis. Sumdel ȝe habbeþ i-herd nou riht of his strengþe & of his miht. ac herkneþ ȝit forþure of Ysaye, Þat cleped him in his prophecie 'ffader of þe world þat scholde comeFr. Pere au poeple ki vendroit, Au siecle ke feut a venir..'— ffor while he walkede her atte frome, He folfulde in alle þinge Alle holye prophetes biddynge.MS. bigynnynge, H. byddyng— Hou he Is ffader, ȝe schullen I-heren, And hou we alle of him I-streoned weren. Þorw Adam weFr. trestuz pecherent sungeden furst vchon And eeten þe Appel wiþ him anon, AndFr. Kanque de lui en|gendre furent La maleicon kil out eurent. alle weH. that of him I-streoned weoren, Þe cors þat he beer alle weom. in H. beeren; Þorw kuynde we hedden þe curs alle— Þorw Riht ne miȝt hit elles bi-falle. Fr. Kar Adam nostre pere estoit E charneument nus en|gendroit. Adam vr fader, þe forme mon, ffleschliche streoned vs euerichon: Ac þulke flescliche streonynge Beere vs Bale and Serwynge, Neore þe grace of swete Ihesu, Þat vs strenede [þorw] gostliche vertu. Þorw Adam we weore to deþe I-demet: Þorw Ihesu vp rered and al I-quemed; He is vre ffader ariht, AndH. That so goodliche vs haþ I-diht Þat wiþ his blod he vs washedMS. waked. Fr. lava of sinne And brouȝt vs out of wo to winne— Neuer ffader for no childe Of fyn loue nas so freo ne mylde! Þatr. þan? H. ffor Fr.: Kant il nus out tuz rechatez, Par sa mort de mort delivrez, En enfern puis s'en ala. from þe Roode for vre neode Riht in to helle he eode, ffourti tymen þer he wes OMS. Þo þat he vp risen ches— Þat was on þe þridde day, Erliche vppon a sonenday, Þo þe niȝt fror. for? þe day to-brek— So seide seynt Austin þo he spek; Wiþ him he drouȝ out alle hise Þat diȝeden in his seruise, ffrom þe tyme þat he Adam wrouȝte [O]om. þat he vp ros and vs for-bouȝte. To his disciples he him schewede I-lome And Eet & dronk, eode and come. ffourti dawes he was heere fulliche, And prechede hem godes kineriche. Vpponr. O þon = Till the Fr.: Deskes a l'ascen|cion Ou il estoient &c. holy þoresday, þer on his nome Heo weren I-gedered alle I-some Vppon a stude, þer he among hem com And of mis-bileue hem vndernom. In whonhope and doute heo weoren vchon, Ȝitr. þet hed seȝen heo seȝen him alyue,r. aryse? cf. Fr.: Kar tuz furent en dotance, Ki resuscite veu l'eurent E ne purkant nel creurent. a lyues mon, Þor. Þe ȝit ȝit ne mihten heo for no wit Riht to soþe I-leeuen hit. Ac heore doute was vre bi-heue And fastnede ful wel vre bi-leeue, ffor muche vs dude sikernesse Of Thomas misbileuenesse, Þat nolde for no mon þat was Bi-leeuen þat he ded andom. ded and arisen was Ar he hedde hondlet þe wounde so wyde Þat longeus made in his syde,Fr.: Desk'en ses plaies sa mein mist Ke Longis de lance fist. And seon þe woundes grene and weet1433-6 added to the Fr. Wȝuche þat weoren on honden & feet. ÞO schewed Ihesus him his wondes wyde In hondes & feet, & þulke on his syde. "Þou art, I-chot," quaþ Thomas þo, "Mi God and my lord also." "Ȝe, Thomas," quaþ Ihesu crist, "Þou hit leuest for þou hit sixt: Alle heo moten I-blessed ben Þat hit leeuen þauȝ heo hit not sen." Openliche he made þulke day ffaste and siker vre lay.Fr. A ceu iur vout apertement La foi fermer de tute gent. Wiþ his disciples he set þo As he was er I-wont to do, And sette tweyne & tweyne to gon Ȝond al þe world, to prechen vchon To alle schaft and to alle wihte— Þat is to mon þorw rihte1449-50 om. in H.Fr. A universe creature, (cf. Marc. 16)Cest a homme par droiture — Þat heo bi-leeuen in godes sone—þat is, in himr. he — And þat vche mon folwede him,r. fulwed be;Fr. Kil en le fiz deu creus|sent E baptizez tuz feus|sent. In þe ffader [nome] and in þe sone also And in þe holy gost þat glit of hem bo; ffor hose neore I-boren eft at þe frome, In to heuene ne miȝte he neuer come; Ac þulke þat beþ I-fulwed in Riht bi-leeue Schulen beo brouȝt in Godesr. gode Fr. Serrunt mis en sauvetez. bi-heue. Wel openliche he scheweþ vs þerfore Þat vche mon mot eft ben I-bore. And ȝif we schulen eft I-boren ben, We mote comen of sumeMS. sunne; cf. Fr.: Mes puske rene serrum, Eugendrure averum, Cest del ewe e del esprit, Ou nus engendra ihesu crist. streon: Þat is þe water of vertu, Þer vs gostliche streneþ swete Ihesu; And whon he vs haþ so strened, I-wis, fforsoþe vre ffader he is, And þenne we alle his children beþ. Sikerliche, vnwrestliche he deeþ Þat such ffader ne loueþ wiþ al his þouȝt! He ne eet of þe Appel riht nouȝt: Baldeliche we mouwe þorw him craue Vre Rihtes in heuene to haue; ffor he haþ alle þe lawen I-wyst,or. wust — Of O poynt ne haþ he mist,— Þat neuere neore I-wust ne I-holde ErH. hent he him-self comen wolde. Þe fforme Mon þat of eorþe com, Brouȝt vs werre, and pees bi-nom: Þat oþur Mon from heuene com wiþ meyn And haþ I-ȝolden vre pees aȝeyn. ffleschliche was þe forme mon, Þat muche wo vs brouȝte vppon, Þat was out of paradys I-pult, And al his ofspring for his gult: Ac vre gostlych ffader, swete Ihesu, Vs bryngeþ aȝeyn þorw his vertu; He þat from heuene com, ffrom louh anheiȝ he vs vp nom. Þat from eorþe com, to eorþe he geþ;Fr. Ki de terre est a terre ala, Ki vint du ciel, a ciel munta. Þat from heuene com to heuene he steþ. On holy þoresday, þer al þe folk I-seiȝ Wȝuche þat stoden a-bouten him neih, Þe wey he made, vs to lede, Þorw þe skewes, þer he eode, Wiþ soþnesse, and wey of liþcf. Fr.: La voie a ses seinz a fet Par les nuwes ou il vet— Vie, verite, et voie.; Þe feire cumpanyeH. pray, Fr. proie him ladde wiþ Þat he out of helle nom, Þat to muche blisse com. To þulke blisse he made hem wende Þat euer lasteþ wiþ-outen ende; Þer he woneþ as he dude er, Wiþ his ffader, O God þer, Persones þreo in þrillihod, And O God þauȝ in on-hod; Þat alle þing wrouȝte, as þou, mon, wost, ffader & sone & holygost; ÞauȝH. And thawgh vche nome of þise þre Sinderliche [be seid]H. Byn syndry seyd; Fr. E s'il i a distinctiun De trois persones par nun, Ne purkant un sul deu dure as he ouȝte to be, O God hit is wiþ-outen care, Of alle schaftes schuppare; To whom Ioye & honour bi-come Wiþ-outen ende, þe holy gome.In Halliwell's ed. here fol|lows a last part (see p. 403|6 below): on the 15 tokens, the day of doom, and the dowers in heven, in 308 vv.; and vv. 1513-24 are wanting. — Now biseche we God for his Merci Such lyf her leden and so trusti, Þat we his heste holden so long, Þulke pes vs wonye among Þat he sende from heuene to monkinne, And þat he wone wiþ vs wiþ-Inne, And aftur þis lyf to Ioye wende. Þis writ in god nimeþ nou ende, Þer is ende and byginnynge, So holy writ seyþ, of alle þinge: God leeue vs here so ende Þat we ben worþi to heuene wende. Amen.Then follows Ypotys, fol. CCXCVI, ed. before in Altengl. Leg., N. F., p. 341-8, and from another MS., Cott. Calig. A II, with readings from Arund. 140, Ashm. 61, Cott. Tit. A XXVI, ib. p. 511—526; 2 other MSS., Ashm. 750 and Douce 323, were ed. in a dissertation, Berlin, 1887. Various Readings to XXXVIII from Halliwell's MS.Halliwell does not name the MS. he used; he only says: the text of his ed. was chiefly (!) taken from a MS. in private hands. His MS. is much younger; it omits final -e in miȝte, hiȝte, tauȝte, brouȝte, moste, wolde, wente, but adds it in come, breke, &c. Most readings are deteriorations or arbitrarily made to help the sense; some few contain the original reading or help to find it, where the Vernon-text is spoiled; none can with certainty be ascribed to a later or new revision with the French text.(Ed. 1849 for private circulation.) Title in verse om. He that. wille helpene ffor ther was . i|wrowght ther was . evyl But evyl . wes . þe om. ffadur ever inst. of on eorþe . syst oone . art in trinite in unite Withoute ought ovre Worshyp crownyd kyng ys throwgh . beth Alle goodnesses . seth (i- om.). graunt us to thencke & worken fro. Alle we to have helpe we nede Thawgh we be not . alle om. thede i-bore oon not inst. of we. Ebru . that ofte beth wryte ffrensh . spechyne in this w. sechyne dryht As om. awght . is Loovyng to synge . full ȝorne syche . als . lorne No mones ay ne be adrede Ne his ledone shall not be hed To herien God . hath wrowght al om. thys w. I wyl . shewe hem . can . i-knowe In . I-chul ffor-why . was furst wrowght And therafter fadur hade to byn hys The ioy and myrthe of p. It to w. and it to welde . syche shulde ther to hevyn But . hit alle And s. shall here how he f. w. hye kyngessone sone But ther werene fowre systren i-boren And om. prisoner . wes heryn they cussyde . sawght he sone lyght This castel M. Therin telle forthe we shul to us sayd wysly þer om. i- om. i-ȝevyn name . I-nempned om. byn men . I- om. myȝhti . rihtwys And of . to om. Lord þe om. Off all the nomes how Whe shulle ȝow telle that ȝe shul wyten domesday . I- om. shulle somdele . pyne it be wrytene in Englysshe . dark And have no savor aforen a clark lewde . lytell And who so . wytur . wyce ȝorne michel of lintel fynden fay byfalle . Goddys ȝef ȝe . er made (I- om.) Tho inst. of ffor-þi. I om. hathe alle seventh Lusteneth to my talking (lordynges om.) at the begynnyng Hede i-wrowght h. w. so mychel gynne þe om. angels so feyre and bryght and feyre (!) w. þer om. aftur in here waxed That . anonryȝht cast ffelle ȝet wes . þo om. sevyn sythe Bryȝhtur . forsoþe om. she And alle-so the mone shon As the sonne dothe in nowght profyt And alle . that shupte weren whiche sorewe . dyel they byth browght osprynge thay byth dulfulle And . telle ȝow serve Godhede al fayled flyne shulde byne Blossome . ryce And om. bettur . yce though . he om. alle welle done valley . Ebrone shope A. at the last the holy Trynite soul so f. and fre showe to have . owe hyme ladde cast slepe . al om. nome come ȝef . to byne is wyfe h. hyme . ȝef hyme is wytte fyfe dele the evyll fro . goode hem wel ȝef . ȝet . worship lordship That . londe Shulde byne . his owne honde And feyrelak . myche And alle wonyne inne and 1 om. sorowe god byth lyven . ȝonge And all tho that of hem two spronge tale . sowles . fro hevyn Tho Adam and hys osprynge shulle hevyne aȝeyne fulfylle, So blessed and bryȝht be thowrgh Goddys wylle Ryȝht as the s. . told Bryȝhtur . is nowe by s. they . hevyn wynde To ioy and bl. . eynde dethis alle ffro . ilke om. styen Among gret myrthe . angels To lawes Thet . wes . thowgh Thet . wes i-cleped Thet . at l. holde Goddys Thet . was that to hym appull he shuld never ete Of that So hym s. and hyȝht Thet whensoever the appull he ȝete that lyfe he shulde alle the kynne . come have the same dome heoled . hest aryȝht hym ȝef . mychel welde . worldis Withoute . sorewe Seysone to Adam delyuerd wes tho wonnen myche Away full s. hit all And browght . myche appul ȝete Goddys hest he dede forlete And sethyn his lawes he breke, The lawe of kynde and the lawe set eke he om. dede aftur is wyfys heoled . hest Thus is . rufull Was om. I-cast i-dryven in the w. to lyvyne forsakyn dylfull . himself i-takyne hath hym boryne Mirth wyth ryȝht he hath forloryn That m. . þat om. welle have shall he now . crave Out om. i-pult con That A. had trespast so hadyn hocowre That mon shuld wonyn in the blessed honowre Hit he hade . prude mychel . here alle . aftur when . hade i-l. here longe in c. At the l. dye helpe here ne most to . bespekyn wold not foreward brekyn ffulle evull . mychel he þus om. this w. mychell ne om. But hit peyred thowrgh his wonnyng But for the wonnyng of him hit was not long Nere that synne was so. ȝef . alle And synne w. h. by all his myȝht synne . is alle oon And Adam dede wone Goddys hest breke the appul he ȝete lost is to pyne þe om. kynkes . ȝet usyth thilke synnes feyror wes . er om. thynk Now is he . is servaunt and understondeth And when . servid thorgh thewdome He dede withoute And servise ne thrall they mow eritage is om. So sone his er. is Ne in curt. noo Me owed not to answer ne him u. mote That myȝht swewe (!) myȝht that kynde be boren ne om. ȝete none of And that have I-wyst with wynne lawes withoutyn Theke too And the tother. M. of S. Moysen ȝeven ȝet i-holdyn nes Of mon . evir dede synne of syche mon mynne thenk other k. Who seche a wondur myȝht do or Sey . stede As I before dede ffor now is tyme that I hit telle ffor it be|hovyth to our spelle. Ther wes . myche hede Of alle seche wyt of alle syche wone And of all seche chere his fadur dere (in his manere om.) oone . they were oone studfastnes volnes . they were ful ryȝht thei werene fadur . alle begoon belye . kyndome Alle that was of hys b. hit wolde And foure dowghtryne hede this k. And to uche he wes lovyng ȝef one . fulnes wit . wysnes befalle ȝet wes alle this volnesse kyndam hit om. iustisyn nomen dowghtur is M. douȝter om. Sothe systur we clepon And Pes . fourth Withoute these . worship Ther may . lordship er Hede . dede bothe str. wes insyȝht . ryȝhdome he wes de|lyverd That in sorewe h. pyned ichoon And of . thei hadyn dowte But hadde him in here rowte And thei deden him pyned . sore om. withoute. Title om. she syȝh The prison hede here hert swyth nyȝh She myȝght here no lenger hold Tofore . come sheo wold shewe . here ffor to quod sheo . fadur myne dowghtur thyne grace . goodnesse alle I haue . thorgh the sorfull wrecche p. among pyne thu hast him doon Thei maden him a. in theke gret synne Thorgh here feyre behest withoute blynne him om. and inst. of ȝif . appulle eten And Goddis lawes forleten have alle . God Therfore they seyde that tre wes him forbode And lyed to him therof. heo om. rowghton falsnes . they Therfore let falsnes ȝelden be wrecche om. prisoner thou ȝeve to me. grace And of alle thi dowghtryne I am the aldest One hem alle I am baldest They dowghtur I ne were But my swetnesse Grace swetnes And thorgh thy nowne pyte I-chulle . to om. sanite grace Tylle he haue i-funde thyne ore. Title om. So sone Sothe this werk syȝth here sistur heore h. ȝyȝth hade . him om. demyd (I- om.) . eynde here mode before . anon up stode ffadur, I beseche the to here me. ne om. may not. hit om. hit om. a om. Of my systere Mercyes w. here wylsfull sermon out om. suche inst. of swiþe . that I hit syȝh nyȝh I sey . þe om. owest not she Sothe and Ryȝht therwith And om. volnesse I-comyn I. Mercies . rufull ȝef sheo . saue om. here Savyn alle . she . for besechyn Then never mysdede shulde byn ab. fadur shuldest be dreded And thou art alle sothefaste k. stabull . all Therfore . wowgh aȝeyns me i-nowgh him con That he never grace i-fynde Grace he hath alle forlore wes i-warned . before shulde we . thike That pyte of hymself hade non. Hes dome he m. stonde to . sygge alle . abygge. Title om. i-hereth And up her stode I am heo seyth kyng and ryȝht Ryȝht domes byth with the And alle thy werkys byth deeþ om. mevyn Hath dome deserved as ȝe ȝevyn þat om. fre was hede hem boo went betoke . wrath . wo And to synne and wrecchedome his fo for ever thole dethe to him thy hest hestyst Thorgh sothe then deth to him thou hettyst . After 412 H has 2 vv. more: And he dede thi hestes breke, And oon him thou wolldest by ryȝht be wreke. ȝef gylt And Sothe beryth And els nedlyche no d. ȝef Then dome . i- om. not to wolle sygge Aftur here gult as hit heore doth befalle this . syggeth And allso . they iuggeth Nere nowther . ne om. Ne non of hem mercy u. As a diswaryed mon mysrad he his myslad helpyth . whersere he wynde And his foon fyȝhtyth with him in u. eynde And han stripte . alle him alle bare maked And him . alle They thenketh he shalle be in prison strong His foon maden him agultyn wondur sone comyth aftur . here hym heo iuggeth E. aftur Sothe that wolle sygge And Pes with hem may not byn he . flyn ne bydyth Ther as werre is nyȝh-honde myȝht And so of londe they byn i-d. Ther where not in the w. i-levyd Nothyng but it wes dystryed. drownt Save . soules . where In Noeis flood in the shippe wer heo sonys haden alle . is ther leved no more owght to on so drury dome withoute. Title om. So longe that . atte last here fadur she dowghtur and of the i-nome volnesse . I am i-come too systren . han they neuer come ffor thing that eny mon may do Mercy myȝht not hem. And . no kynnes thyng I myȝht not come hem amyng (!) And the . alle . owne Therfore I am owt of tyll that sustres sawghtnes . so ende And Thawgh . byn set wyten and knowe Pes maystur sheo is In reste and pes I con maken Whi shalle When eny g. dede . for me om. have me be in thowght But . ne om. lovyd me systur nyll I-chylle He (!) . oweth þe om. byth . i-send a evyn shullen ȝevyn . demyn evyn ne om. dome we f. byn stonden (at- om.) loke sethin foure fadur ne byth not of But I We clepyn aȝeyne the d. al om. Sothe and Ryȝht wold To Mercy and me hit doth not q. Therfore fadur myne thou hit ȝeme goodnesse Ther wonteth . Pes woll Wyt ne w. is But Pes therwyth be f. lovyth . withoute withoute oweth to byn . gret lord of Therfore . owest systur that prayeth the om. Til om. d. shuld be flyn Tylle my systryn byn at oone is . tho beren sye were inst. of al. Thei myȝht never togedur c. Leve fadur. I wyt . wysdome And om. Wysdam men mychell . lovest in thy werk browghtest byth oon . volnesse and strengthe and hyenesse All I chull kyng more of ryȝhtwesnys In so myche fadur I take more ȝ. furste inst. of for þe of the p. rueth And therfore me rueth well cleputh ffadur thou art . mekefulle Heere . here over Alle here wyll I chull don And make at oone S. & heere. Taken wollen it . beden And I alle one woll dome the dome a i. oweth make to cusse . sawght sone dryvyn . werre with myn honde thi Who so this afore bese con openly i-se betokenyng Is the insyȝht of God ffadur, withoute God is m. n. hath alle hath fulled utryȝht thawgh volnesse ȝeve . blesseng han . I owe t. make Adam om. forlest hit was The world . alle Mon myȝht not himself do keveryng ne myȝht him . no And . myȝht not most it nede Goddys sone shuld m. And mon shuld deth tholyn with sorewe r. shuld uprysen aȝeyn fro ffor ells . forloren i-wrowght. wheche l. wych b. grace and whiche s. to alyȝht ches ffor oon sele shepe His fadur blysse he levede and ther-fro ȝeode To seche theke shepe in uncowthe ȝode Ther is not seche an h. non om. non om. mercyfulle a l. syche a meche l. on him ilyke . him wolde sothen suffre deth Sore he awght his handys to wrynge That this lord wold greve for enythyng. Herketh . at this frome this sheperd tydyngus comyn prophetys Elias Ant D. . Ieromie And D. Eliseu Thei seyn . ryȝht well Long . of hem But herkynth. The Latin quotation om. I-boryn son . i-ȝevyn shulle alle this shull byn rewfull . of ryȝht al om. byn And prince . seyn. These buth . nomes . nowe i-leven to him ȝevyn ȝef . wolle heryn telle wondurfulle Seche . wes . I- om. ny saye Ne n. weryn by no monis day Ne never shull come As was when God mon b. sye (I- om.) I- om. fete . bere hede his fote or his hond forloren he weren so bothe i-boren Where thei . too Nay sotheli, thei nere not soo. ffor thawgh the toon hede of kynde to myche And that o. to lytell and beth of diverse lyche ȝet . nede om. byn a forshapon lym And . mychill . byn myȝht seche a mon i-syn That monkynde hade uwtryȝht That he nere to mychill ne to lytyll in syȝht. forshapon thyng a good h. Seche . befall who-so isyȝh seche a shapyng clepon . wonderfulle ȝet is hit . thousondfold clepud sothefast . and monne ne om. And eke . all thyng is . I- om. withoute synne he is e. wone therof dede Ne shap therto non nes I-red nys non then he that is of so gret myȝht to erthe inst. of dude ooure . nome al om. wes become. als wolde boryn . wymmon That same shap mons And God myȝht not in no m. Alyȝht bote . stede . in om. stede . siker om. he Ther God inne to alyȝhte ches that is comlyche Mychell . and feir om. This . c. mychell of the f. meere . betwynnen too He hath no feyrelac. withowtyn And so . aboutyn no maner harme hie . sownde And . I- om. from rofe to grownde(!) Ther may non evyll thyng Ther to do eny grevyng And eke hit is so levelych So dredfull and comlyche tho . beth thei fleth ffoure s. toure ther beth abowte wyte þe hole t. withowte And allso ther beth . baylys So om. stronge Ther may . here feyrship. I- om. ne om. it thenk . it spelle. trysti . fast dyche buth all becast. cornels . so om. Seven barbacanes . byth toure ne om. socoure Ther shalle never fo stonde him wyth thidur . fle seche sycoure . abowte alle peynted is abowte colours . byth The furst the fondement is all g. fast lythe is him that this myrthe sythe colur lesseth (ne om.) And sethyn . abouten om. hue Is bothe . eke om. blue cleputh And hyt s. over all feyre and b. ovenast I- om. withinne . withoute abowte raddur . euere om. Hit semyth it barnede all As is the swan when heo is swymbyng the l. After om. Enlong on the. Ther never there comyth wo ny wowgh But Amyd the toure a walle dede sprynge That never is drye but ernynge stremys . strykyn on Mechell That man nedeth non. aryȝht . watur thike toure thorne . meche As whyte as yuory somers . when heo all do byth oo feyre in order i-ioyned byth So feyre thyng in erthe . i-syth abowte it i-bend to him . i-send Ther nes never so feyre a chayere To kyng ne to emperour. But meche more worship . Inouȝ om. Ther God to alyȝht ches Suche a c. is ther non wes . thyke here-aftur . ne om. dyȝht hit om. and hit alle dede a. himself in thilke . feyre om. stede kyndam that st. myche That and hele and sycornesse maydons body . fre Ther . nas om. hoe I- om. was As . mayde mere betwynne too That hoe shuld us shylde from vs om. Hoe . here. After 768 H has 2 vv. more: ffor hoe may allerbest, And hoe woll allerblyvest true . trysti maydons body. forþi om. That therin never synne come And to serve God alle here hert shoe nome wyst here maydenhode . muche om. With grace and wyth s. to the roche fast grenship That is . maydonis alle here here . þat om. true e. hit is grene and newe. hire om. apertenent To . and fundement feyreshipe That in good hope wes here lyvyng Hoe wes serve . with and þe om. brande Ther is noon . mychill hoe . alle And shoe is i-tend . fyre To servyn here God ab. kepyn . hie . withowtyn þat om. abowten heere me syth thei byth strenghe . slyȝhship Ryȝht|wesnes . warship hath inst. of wiþ. That non evylle ther may com withinne what . baylys cornels byth . feyre. throwen inst. of I-cast . abowte the hoole toure withowte bayli That be|tokynth heere nes Goddys . she myddyll bayly otmast Betokenyth here hoole spousayle ffulle ryȝht me hem clepeth b. thre (forþi om.) That hadyn . here om. bayle ffor hoe here-self is m. ffor shoe is . weddes (!) these . in inst. of teon to an ende . I- om. byn And the sevyn barbacanes abowte so gret . byth wr. withowte kepyn these aroo byth sevyn vertuce that han wyth w. To om. Prude . begynnyng evyll thyng The whiche al matyd and overcome w. sheo heore true heore sheo m. to heere And all-so she dystried hire om. largenes on iche evermore . hoe pacyens . sheo heere gostly Dystryed slowth in walle . alle of g. fylleth . a om. so deled is goodnes inst. of Meth . wiþal om. And . lovyd That he heere ȝeve full grace outryȝht þe om. gr. withoute let Socur alle the w. i-ȝet Therfore . here One i-blessed . ladi om. whiche . byn Bote heere poverte that heo wes inne Ther was no mon-kynnes a. That myȝht dere the castell of nothyng fynde was overcome him all benome so om. freo spak . neddur . treo come . blyve hed inst. of pouste be heo this byrd Therfore of here soule . is And to . gestnyng of hire so ȝyng To brynge him out gareson feyre good Whill . meche then other that ever made was And tho the sonne of ryȝht|wesnes here ches And on heere when he shadowe wolde He feyred . thowsonde fast ȝate And om. owt-goyng . l. hit fast let we be st. O helpest . flyth comyn knocked . con grede He knocketh & gredyth . con Help . me om. mayde Thi welle ondo I the b. And therof thou let me cleche Of thilke grace that alle is thoor To hem that in herte gostly byth poore Be-se how Of . alle That is the fynd And the w. and my f. they styntyth Withoute ene mystre . voth hoe G. perlyment they han i-nomen is formest forth i-comen ostes . doth prude . slowth with too ostys hath me with c. and hate he wold me fonde gloteine . foule G. fyȝht they han . i-nomen as a champyon swete mayde I ha forloren alle the m. After H. has 2 vv. more: Thow that art to alle febulle leche, Thow let me of thy dyches cleche. Theras the c. is so stabull And om. is there con|stabull I have . i-told And . by a thousond goodnes Out om. comyn (I- om.) God Allmyȝht alyȝht And hyre he nome . monhed he kend . Godhed bar . floure The mayde . heere creature that child . I- om. A . i-ȝevyn I trowe this be w. That he for us was thus i-b. So mychill wondur I knowe of n. too kyndys in oon to bryng Hath that that shulde to him falle And n. ne om. wonteth here myȝht But ether of hem han here ryȝht This . Goddys fro To make at oon his systryn that were at woore ffor the prison that was forlore To kyndes . I wotte ffor he is sothefast . suthfast And the ende of his dedyn i-dyȝht And this all abowte thou well be-se And . wold boryn of a. become in to heele ever other And calleth mon his leve brother myslyche i-gon and unȝemed londe . i-flemyd syst mayst not of thiself ha k. Ne om. And syker be thou here-oon That he that woll . leve him brynge and lede to is o. lond And soone herkyn thou to me I ffor my . weryn is lyȝht . beryn To mercies bone forthe I am i-c. I . þe om. sue And I-chulle . take have I-chull crave ffor now I am Ther|fore I-chull crave And am fre of byrth in every towne Men owghton to here ffor I have kept lawes withowte I-chylle . batell And sycur make the of . ful om. ffor I-chull over alle that fyȝht And the maystry have alle with ryȝht Ne on erthe thow nedest to thenk els n. good wheche frensship whose taketh When God alle thys world shalle deme That us sch. so meche swetnesse And so gret vertu of And theke bysenes . lytull tellit And sylden in the w. this vertu is do And . and pacyens Lovyn . mekenesse & ffor when a mon ȝevyth him to the worldys weele And goodys fallyn to him mony and fele He thenketh no good in maner thyng to bryng And when worldly godys han the mastri (a last om.) Hit maketh mon so rebell and hye That he waxeth wonder prowde mysdyth . boþe om. He wylneth no thyng of largenessse lordship . hyenesse vertu of Alle . prude . forȝetyn Thes synnes mow not Crist sue ffor thei beth of evyll vertue And whos his vertu levyth nowght Whi shuld he wyllen o. Of his . kyndome That he thorgh plee and bataylle wone And ever aȝeyns his byddyng woll do And aȝeyns here soulys allso And . prude . hienesse And loveth nothyng b. Therfore . han fro dowt for he that aftur hym don Lest they shullen the way aftur hym gon. After 1012 H. has 2 vv. more: But ȝef thei hem amende Of that that they dude God afende. But to this I graunte welle thou That hit may befalle to a mon To have . lordship & gret townes . ryches And may ȝet Goddis wylle don and holde And lyve well God to plese and he w. And byn in charyte and b. sothenesse . riȝhtwesnes wyllyt not els al om. and his love so clere How . aske How that . god om. And how And by whom oure ryȝht aȝeyn come Lusteneth ȝow telle Tho that . bor (I- om.) & so d. fynde riht om. nothyng wyst But forte ha be lord & s. was his tryst ere was, but þat om. boren (I- om.). to om. was come fynde sye hym mon and in monis wede But he wyst not . ne of what dede He sey him mon and knewe that he was of monkynde But never to synne Cryst had myende devyll . swiþe om. art thou Whether . comyn art Alle . wyde om. ȝeve. And thou wolle abowe & worship me. Latin om. I am thy Lord thou shalt fynde me so. Lat. om. What thenketh the, mayst thou not understond Seyde the fynde, I am Lord of alle this londe And therof in sesyne longe I ha be hie . ȝeve I knowe . I wot But of the ny of thy thowght. Sykur thou takyst full mychill on honde beneme . londe na no pouer Wenest thou . beneme þorw om. ffulle fast . thei con it dyȝht wo so breke . hest ever be myne . synne lest And on endeles dethe he shuld dye And the k. of h. of ryȝht nyl not wrye What woldest thou seche f. b. be|speke. Lat. om. onswered And seyde that f. myȝht not be holde Ac om. Thow thiself formest dedest hit b. monkynne seydes the tre was him And ȝef he wolde And wolde Goddys beheste lete ffor om. alle And om. He shuld deth suffer never non or ells he hede be I trowe reson hit nere That thou hadest. And woldest not holde anont the H 2 vv. more: The covenand that thou shuldest ha do, Thou foule fynde, monis fo. Lat om. O I am . fynd I am . overcome comyth Syche . seche so bold darst be To . aȝeyns. I have all i-l. anon But so hit may not. That is in my p. I wot not with whom I shuld desseysed be. Lat. om. Swete Ihesu tho con segge And om. I wolle . for-bygge buggen here (to his f. om.) shull cost . dere quod Bote as . heere that he go Vt ryȝht, quod . good om. Ne om. I kepe no thyng to-ȝeyns r. Ne thorgh mastry beneme the hit Lat. om. Quod the fynde and er he delyverd be Thu . as myche worth is worth at thys f. thyke . shulle. Lat. om. Blythelyche . al om. do. lytille fyngur seche a alle the . i-syn. Lat. om. fynde to Ihesu tho I wot ffor all the world deme thou myȝht ffor of the my pouere is lost by ryȝht. ȝeve thi fyngur . sygge So fowle and unworthy chaffere to bygge. Lat. om. O quod Ihesus and alle . to h. ransom han him ȝit om. don er . have him Thow most suffre on e. wondur & wo amende suffre dethe . strong om. onswered to Alle . i-sayde hit shall. to be aftur and ȝef the dome tho I woll ȝet that thrall Tho the fynde wyst well this That thorwgh is deth mon shulld ha blys And so the fynde wes overcome i-nome And the worme swolewe that the last Then he is . i-teyed O . take hede . me inst. of þe truly . loved thole deth and pyne withowte fro p. and misdede evyll inst. of lodliche . ur synne dede Ne with fylth was fownde . stede ffor alle . lymys . ever hade mon Seth A. to syenge furst b. He wolde . alle om. I- om. makyn . al om. ffor oure gret gult here A crowne . thorne oure syȝht myspende allso eynen . blynwherved alle . was om. de|fouled And allso with g. boffettys they him s. vnwreste & om. so vyle They ȝevyn him galle to dryng and eysile. After 1150 H has 2 vv. more: The Iewes deden this to him for gret vylny, Bote he suffred hit alle pacyently. ffor unlawfull werk us avonde He was peersed thorgh foot & honde. evyll thowghtys . ful smert A speere was smyte thorgh is syde to is hert. thonne for us do telle of his soore No mon is hit may thenk hit so Syche peyne he tholed and wo. is hit but he m. ha. Of seche a frynde that hade so gre cherite. Seche buth . dyntes suffred . withoute And he suffred . to be b. he suffred . hondred fold Of sorewe . when . dye wold eny fynd Legge . hond om. lovyd That he onnethe wold weynde hit fro ne for no That he wes hurt and peyned with ever|more Tyll his f. wyttys wer i-l. utryȝht strength his s. & his h. His . his his . he om. wes browght to an ende Er the soule fro . wolde wynde Kynde myȝht for no maner thyng Han suffred the halfondele of that peynyng But honged To the fadur his soule he ȝyf with mylde voyce showed payed withowtyn om. And ever M. Mercyfull ffor deyl I may not hit say peyne . hoe tholed theke But Wes fulfylled thon (þo bi om.) As hit were with a swyrde in theke stonde Thorghe here sowle she hade gret woonde But here . hondred Tho here sone fro d. aryse w. nowght nere the p. She sye oponly . in om. thyng and the endyng the whiche . fynde Oure trowth and oure b. Stode alle in oure Laydy tho the dysciplys were But oure Lady wes ever in on In fast beleve both stylle and lowde, Ther myȝht nothyng brynge here owte full of Mayde clene full of bewte Oure b. in heere tho wis (!) sheo . heere That us forbowght of thrall thus. Whan I herd now meche conselth he dede overcome hit to an e. Ther nes never no mon forbigge And he Ther we ichon come may abovone inst. of come nou om. i-syn he may . els byn But oon theke is þe God om. I er seyde . þe om. Thre persons in Trynite And oon God in Maieste Me may as clerkys con rede I-syn that he is God by his dede dedys . dede Wer om. . he dede inst. of I-meynt . in f. Now tak hede . myst i-syn That this thyng may well byn ffor who so hede . swyrd þe om. fyre dede Tyll hit w. red bernyng in that stede While . brande to-dele . styell steell fro the fyre to thro who so . þe om. Too kyendes he may syn and of w. steyll . kervyth barneth alle . one swyrde And allso hit faryth of. To kyndes . wyte very . very He shewed gret myraculle and privete chane gestnyng . he om. turned watur in to were With . bade fylle hem As by his monhede he bade do watur theryne And by his Godhede he t. the water to wyne And all this dede wes don owher that . ȝode Muche om. ffolk him sewed bothe evyll and goode þat om ffyve thousond folk he fed Wyth tweye fysshes and fyve loovys of bred relyf . left ther were that b. to-breke haþ om. fulfylled eke syn (I- om.) That foure dayes long Lay in is towmbe that he stonk lowde come Riht om. areysed dede . i-syn byn That God . made and dyȝht that sw. mayde aliȝht hope . trowthe He is thre persons in Trynite And oon God in unite han herd And . no mon may Ne thowght this hie myche hevyn heȝh In erthe & benethen fer & nyȝh Bowen . thike Therfore this vertu no mon telle con Of his m. ne of a om. that aryvede (!) fleth towchin that that I hade i-lore The blys of paradys and hevynne fynde hede syche But for monkynde the w. was wr. And the fynde . underbrowght. Seche alle was no mon . goodshipe holyshipe And ȝet the fynde ladde But Hath him Ouercome and shent with him to ha done he dede of herbifore om. In helle that he myȝht hem spylle crosce as Cryst honged he con c. his soule ha nome But ȝet of h. anowre the inst. of Godes. and there i-bonden him f. is g. is s. ȝode To helle for hem . hade longe hadyn longed to goon out of that styde ȝatys . alle to-breke te-dasshed alle . fyndes The maystri of helle he hede anon drowgh out alle hisen beleved his comyng servid . hert trysti and true Seche streyngthe wes . I- om. er shalle be moost fynd . this The fynde was armed f. strong And wyst f. long Bote Cryst with his strengthe him o. And his gret prey Therfore thus seyth Ysay And profecyeth myȝhtfull . byn no mon may thenk ny syn ne om. redyn hert thenk is . dedyn owt him to to love. ful om. He is . shild and all oure That he ȝif . savyn alle oon . dede han herd But herkynth . Ysay clepud . profecy is to c. ffor om. Whill he on erthe here to walk nome fulfylled . thyng holy . byddyng Now . shull i-heryn i-holpe weryn synged . furst om. ete And all that thorgh Adamis kynde gete weryn bere . we om. beryn they hadyn his cors hit myȝht not els falle furst fflesshely of him we comy[n] uchon And for the synne that Adam in Paradys dede, All we that of him come shuld ha byn in sory stede grave (!) ȝeynbowght thorgh gostli to om. alle quemed by alle ryȝht That us so helpeth and us so hath dyȝht he om. wassheth And forbowght us hevyn to wynne Ther was never fadur to his child nas om. meke and myld ffor from ȝede tymes Er that he to aryse ches ȝet he rose up on the Erli in the marnyng on a Sonday When . to|breke This beryȝth Seynt Austyn wytnes and thus doth speke. And Cryst with him drow levedyn ffro And then he showed sone ȝete . drong and ȝode dayes . wes . fully his lawes sycurli Opon a day the dysciples were I-gedred to-gedre all in fere In a certeyn place ther hem among he come Of here m. hem he u. wonhope . they weryn And ȝet they syen him lyves mon þo om. ȝet myȝhten they Verely belevyn hit But ȝet here dowte to us doth be-heve ffor hit fasteneth. ffor to us this dowte is sicurnesse as I fynde Of the misbeleve of Thomas of Iynde Beleve that Cryst aȝeyn rysen was Tyll he hede i-hauled (!) is wondes wyde Longes i-syn his wondes . wete That he hade with nayles thorgh the fete. om. I wot. Lord . God Thu levyst this . syst I-blessed mote all tho byn That this belevyth and don hit not syn Oponliche thyke same day ffast and sycor he made oure fay. dysciplys . ȝete bad . togedur to gon Thorgh the w. to prechyn uche mon om. That they shuld be-levyn in God Allmyȝht And his lawes folewyn as hit is ryȝht ffadur nome. in2 om. holigostys that precedit hem fro Thawgh mon were now i-boren (eft at þe frome om.) To h. he myȝht not comen, H. adds: But he beleve in God ryȝht welle, And that shall him save fro helle. ȝef he i-folewed be and be [of] good lyfe, Thawgh he dye his soule shalle be in no stryfe. ffulle opynly . showeth us beforen iche . most twyes be boren And ȝef he shull twyes boryn byn Onus of oure modur furst we mot be boryn And efte of the watur of vertu Therto us ordeyned s. I. And om. When we this Crystendam han i-wys Vr sotheli fadur then he is we alle then . byth. Sykor un|kyndely he dyth seche a. ne om. loveth not He of the appull ȝete never r. n. Oure herytage lawes Of oon p. therof he hath not m. Ther nere never i-wyst ne holden Hent he him|selvyn come w. furst . that ever He br. . us benome But another that come fro hevyn without feyn He hath us get fflesshely wes the furst m. myche . apon out om. But o. gostili fadur Browght us aȝeyn When he downe fro hevyn come to hye He that . to the erthe him beyȝh He that fro. he om. steyȝh hali . that all folk him seyȝh That by him stode full nyȝh The way to us he made i-wys When he steyȝh to hevyn that holi blysse A sothefast way and to ever-duryng lyfe His feyre pray he hadde him wythe out of h. with him nome To meche ioy and blys he made hem come To that ioy and blysse . wynde Ther to lyvyn w. eynde dede is . and byth oon God ther Thre persons in Trinite And oon God in unite well inst. of mon And thawgh . these Byn syndry seyd as they shuld be On . w. dowte Maker of alle this world withinne and without Ioy, honoure, worship and lovyng Be to that God oure hevyn kyng.

Instead of the last vv. in MS. Vernon, H. has the following further passage explaining how Jesus is prince of peace:This passage is found in the French text, except the 15 tokens, which were added in the Engl. translation, the 2 last (vv. 1597-1612) being, however, adapted from a passage in the Fr., where vv. 1619-46 precede v. 1597.

Lusteneth ȝet forther of Ysayes spelle, ffor now ȝe han herd me telle How swete Ihesu oure fadur wes: Herkenyth how he is now Prince of Pes. Beforen I tolde ȝow uchon How he is into hevyn i-gon: Ryȝht so, the sothe truly to syggen, He shalle aȝeyn come this world to iuggen, In bodi and soule and Godhede, To deme bothe queke and dede. vv. 1523-96 added to the Fr.But fyftene dayes before the dome ffyftene tokyns ther shull come. The furst day the see up ryse shall And stonden on hye as a wall, ffourti cupetys herre i-wys Then eny hill in the world is. That other day heo wole i-sonkyn byn, That eny mon unnethe may here i-syn. The thrid day heo woll be notheles As full as heo furst wes, And then woll whalles and grete fysshes with fynne And all other smale fysshes that byn ther-inne Gedryn hem on the watur uchone; But that wot no mon but God allone What is the betokenyng Of the loude cry and ȝeiyng Thet heo wolleth with loude stevyn ȝevyn and crye up to hevyn. And on the fourthe day heo shall With red fyre brennen alle, And alle other watrys in every stede Shullen brenne as red as eny glede. The fyfthe day the tren that don stonde And floures and erbis in uche londe, Blod thei shullen blede In stede of here dewe, withoute drede. The sixte day byth not bold Palyse ne pylere ne no strong-hold, Castell, toure, boure ne halle, But thei shulle to-skatur and down|falle. The sevynth day the stones uchon Wolle lepe to-gedre and fyȝht anon, That thorwgh the fyȝht that there woll byn The stones woll breke and all to-flyn. The eyȝhte day betokynth gret wrache, All ȝende the world the erthe shall quake, And men wolle flyn into uche hurne, The erthequake shall be so loude and sturne; And on thylke dredfull byttur dayvv. 1561-6 taken from the Fr. The pepull woll crye weloway, And sey to monteynes: 'falleth on us! Erthe to-clyf and hyde us, That we this fere and erthequake ne syn, How wroth oure creature woll byn.' ffor in alle hye hevyn-blys Non so holi ne so good is, Patryarch, apostelle, ne martire, Confessor, ne virgine with so feyre attyre, Prynce, potestate, ne angell, Ne non so bryȝht archangelle, That nold never synne done, But he shall dredyn aȝeyne that dome; ffulle sore mowe heo then dreden That byth alle full of synfull deden! The nynthe day alle the valeis that byth, And the hylles that we so hye syth, Shull be made smethe and playn, And into here kynde shull they not turne aȝeyn. The tenthe day shull all manere men Gon out of here holes and of here den, And renne abowte as they were wod, As they cowthen nowther evyll ne good, Ne thawgh here hert shulde to-breke, On word myȝht not oon with other speke. The elevynth day the mone and the sterres alle Shulle adown to erthe falle. The twelfthe day the bones of uche ded mon Shull come togedre uchon, Thawgh they be dryvyn nere so wyde, At here byrynesFrom A.-S. byrgen here soules they shull abyde. The threttenyth day all maner men Shull dyen anoon that lyven then, That heo mowe togedre with other aryse And takyn here dome of God ryȝht|wyse. The fourteneth day, ther may no thyng werne,In Fr., 1597-1618 follow after 1646. But alle the world on fyre shall berne, Hevyn and erthe shull byn aleyde,Fr. enflambirunt And the foure elementes shull be un|teyede; ffor thike fyre shall clansyn the eyre And makyn all thyng bryȝht and feyre, And all the world shan (!) i-clansed byn; But watur ther shall no mon eft i-syn, Ne never fyre in the world me syth, When that fyre shall ben aquenchith. The fyftenethe day God wol taken Hevyn and erthe, and all hit newe maken, Not otherweys then hem beforen wrowght— Loke thou thenke ne wylle hit nowght— But he wole newen hem i-wys In bettur state then heo weryn i-wys. Ther-aftur Ihesu wole his dome demyn. The angeles shulle come and blowe the bemyn. ffurst shull in body and soule aryse Alle that dyedyn in his servise, And all that eke that shull to the blysse fonde Shul furst aryse and on the ryȝht syde stonde. In Fr. 1619-46 follow after 1522.Then shall Ihesu come ryȝht this, And his body tornen and showe to us What peyne he suffred for ur sake And how lodlyche he was for us i-take, Wyth scorges i-betyn withoute gryth, That the blode barst oute on icha lyth, And how vylensli he wes ladde ȝet, With crowne of thornes on his hed set, And how he suffred that the nayles stode Thorgh fete and honden into the rode, And how the spere that him wonded smerte Browght blod and watur from his hert; And then Cryst woll clepe and calle And sey: 'thus myche I suffre[d] for ȝow alle.' Then helpeth ther no pledyng there, Ne forsakyng, ny answere; Ne helpyth us ther castell ne toure, Nowther palyse, halle, ne boure; All thyng then shall torne to nowght That is with monis hond i-wrowght. Ther shull the synfull quake And here tethe togedur hacke and shake. Ther may segge thenne no mon But that uchon shull seyn here mar|tyrdom, And beforyn hym his iuggement sycorly Shall byn i-wryten apertely,al. Fr. And allso his synnes ther shull be knowe Tofore alle maner men bothe hie and lowe.In Fr. here follow 1651-6, 1597-1618. Then woll swete Ihesu to hem be-syn That shull that day i-saved byn, And sey with mylde stevyn and swete: "When I was hongry ȝe ȝeve me mete, When I was afurst ȝe ȝeve me dryng, When I was nake ȝe ȝeve me clothyng, When I was herberlasse ȝe herberde me fayne, Bothe in heete, in cold, in wynde and rayne, And ȝe comforted me in prison eke, And loked to me when I was seke: Comyth, my blessed children uchon, And receyvyth the blysfull ioy anon That to ȝow byth rewarded withoutyn endenge ffro this worldis begynnyng." Then shulle the blessed byn receyvedr. reysed, Fr. raui an hyȝhe In hevyn to walke Ihesu nyȝhe. And the cursede shull in erthe byn, Of hevyn-blys they shull no-thyng i|syn, But ȝet wyth the up-receyvengr. reysyng, Fr. rauissement they shulle agryse When the saved shull upryse, So wery, so wrecched, so lodlyche, I-charged with synne so hevyleche, That all hevyli on the erthe they shull steke, Whenr. O þat? Fr. Deske thei heryn the domesmonis speke. Wyth gret and grymfull wrathe full sone Thei shull heryn a full hard dome: "Goth with the develys and accurssed bestes, ffor ȝe heded not my lawes and my hestes, Into the fure that shall last for euere; ffor ȝe han disserved here non other!"Fr. 4 vv. more. The blessed shull blysfull gon In bodi and soule everichon, As bryȝht as ys the sonne, withoute fayle; Never hem nedeth to have travayle, But ioy and blys that shall laste ever|more. In good tyme the[i] were i-bore That to that feste mowe takyn That God wole with hem in hevyn makyn! So myche ioy shall byn at theke feste, That ever withouten ende shall leste: ȝe, more ioy then hert may thenkyn, Or eye i-syn, or ȝere i-herkyn; Seche ioy God hath i-grethed there To hem that han loved him here. And when they byth so endeles, Thenne he is aryȝht Prince of Pes. But theke that byth into helle i-nome, Thei shull never out come, And in theke stynkyng dethr. dep-pytte Thei shull byn i-pyned and to peyne i-knytte. In gret sorewe and pyne thei byth full sore: ffor thei lyvyn in wanhope evermoreFr. La premiere peine si ert tristesce— Thei wolde dyen ȝef thei myȝhte, But ȝet here soule may not thorgh ryȝhte.vv. 1699-1700 added. Uchon others peyne shall i-syn, That here peyne shall dowble byn. Another peyne they shull have of derknes, With gret sore and gret hevynes.Fr. La tierce sera peuur And the four[th]e is fyre that may not be queynte, And in stynkynge watur they shulle be dreynte,vv. 1706-8 added. And pycche wallyng ever among. Wayleway ever shall byn here song. flor hidor or thidur wher-sere heo turne,Fr. E puis hidur de ver le diable They syn the foule fynde in uche horne; That he lothest were to syn, He shall ever to-foryn hem byn. And the stenche is over-alle there so strong,vv. 1713 and 5 added. And byttur wormys there styketh among, Neddris, snakys and taddis there strykyth, No place shall he there i-syn that him lyketh. Evermore withoutyn ende they shull be wepyng, And wrynge here hondes with gret weyl|yng.Fr. Cruissant de denz reschinerunt Then shall the systere sey to the brother, The fremed and the sybbe uchon to other: "A, waryed wrecche, whatH whad doost thou here? A-cursed be the tyme thou i-boryn were! I may not for nothyng suffre the, So foule thy synne stynketh on me. ffor [mi]-nowne gret synne I styke in pyne, But a thousonde-fold more I suffer for thyne! Ȝe, but thou waryed wrecche forlore, Accurssed be the tyme that thou were i-bore! I am for-styfyd= stifled among, Thi synne stynketh on me so strong!" Thus shall uchon to other menyn his sorewe Ever withoutyn ende on evyn and morewe. vv. 1733-6 added.Thawgh the[r] seteH the fete a mon for the nonys And he myȝht lestynH leftyn in flesshe and bonys, Half the sorewe he myȝht not telle Ne the peynes that byth in helle. Ther is nowther solace ne love i-wys, Ther is wepyng, pyne, and sorewe withoute blys. In theke foule stynkyng pytte They shull in sorowe for ever be knytte. Long is ever and long is oo, But thei shull never come out of wo.1741-2 added. The fynde shall here prince byn that they served er, Sore withowten ende peyned they shull be ther.— Ihesu in hevyn, as I seyde before, IsH As Pryns of Pes and shall byn ever|more; His pes shall faller. faile never, And his ioy and his blys that is ever. Love, swetnesse, and pley In hevyn hit neweth fro day to day. The furst ioy that there shall byn, The blessed shall hit i-syn The swete face of his Lorde there, His God and his shapere; In his feyreship he may him showen,Fr. s'esmirra And all thyng in him may knowen. So full he shall byn of ioy and skyle That he shall have all that he wyle; What-sever he wylneth, withouten gabbe, Be-se on him and he may it habbe. Of hevyn he may i-se the wydnes, The feyreshepe and the heynes; And he may i-se the dereworth quene, Goddis modur so bryȝht and shene, The swete ma[i]de Seynt Marye, And all the feyre company Of angels so feyre and bryȝght, They woll makyn him ioye with here myȝht; The apostlys and the martiris, The confessors and the virginis, Alle wolle him ioy makyn— Well is him that thidur may takyn! And alle is fryndys he shall knowe there That he hede in this world here, ffadur and moder, syster and brother; Miche ioy everichon shall make with other, Ȝe, more then eny hert may under|stonde, When thei hem syn in theke londe. So myȝhti thei shull byn everuchon That whidur thei wolle thei may gon.1780 and 1784 to be transp. And thei shull be so lyȝht and swyft That whidur-sever they thenk they may be lyft. And so slye and craftyFr. si sotils they shull byn alle That thei shull do all thyng that in here hert doth falle. And where-sere the toon the tother metyth, With lovely chere thus he him gretyth: 'I-blessed be the Lord that the wrowght And hidur to this blysse and ioy the browght! I-blessed be the tyme that thou i-bore were, So myche ioy I have that i se the here; So myche blys I see on the That all my blisse neweth me!' Thet other answereth him anonryȝht: 'Ever i-blessed be God Allmyȝht, That seche ioy hath i-ȝeve to the; Therfore my ioy doubleth me. On the I se mychelle ioy and blys, That all my ioy newed is; And ever here is myrthe and gret song, And ever I se oure shapere among, That i-like himselvyn us hath wrowght And sethyn to this ioy us browght! Mi ioy is doubled an hondred-fold, ffor I have all that I wolde.' Meche is the murthe that is at that feste, That ever withoutyn ende shall leste. He that is lest feyre there Shall shyne as the sonne for erer. so clere; No nyd is thenne that sonneH sinne be there i-wys,v. 1809-10 to be transp. They shullr. That shall shyne seven-sythe bryȝhter then heo now is. When all thei shull be so bryȝht, Then by alle maner of ryȝht He most be feyre and bryȝht and more clere That more deserved that ioy here. So mony wonynges me may ther i-syn, And gret compani of angels that woll ther byn In the ioy so mony and so ryche: In diverse ioyes never oon other i-lyche.The French text has 54 vv. more at the end. In which ioyes God, of his hiȝ grace, In hevyn ȝeve ȝow alle a place. Amen. Here endyth the Castel of Love, Made i-wys for lewde mennis behove. APPENDIX TO No. XXXVIII. The Myrour of lewed men.Edited before, but very imperfectly, by M. Cooke, R. Grosse|teste Carmina anglo-normannica, Caxton Soc. 1852. A free version of Robert Grosseteste's Chateau d'Amour, by a Monk of Sawley, in Yorkshire. MS. Egerton 927 (Yorkshire dialect).

This introduction is written in red. In the MS. final t, f, g have a thin tag (t, f), which I omit; ll is given by ll, h by h, d by d, k by k; don may be doun and done.—The MS., 8, vellum, written in the latter half of the 14th cent., only con|tains this poem, in 28 foll., each page à 24 lines; it is written in the large, clear northern type, is carefully executed, and is most likely a fair copy of the poet's own MS. It must, how|ever, be noted that the scribe frequently leaves out single words. "The Myrour of lewed men" is the title given at the end. The poem can hardly be called a translation: it condenses the narrative, adds from other sources, and introduces, not very happily, passages treating of points of Christian doctrine (10 Commandments, &c.).IN the name of the fader and the son & the haly gast. Here begynnes a romance of englische of the begynnyng of the world and of al that a lewed man has nede for to knawe for hele of soule. this romance turned [a]name om.? Munk of sallay out of a frenche romance that sire Robert, Bisschope ar. of ly|coln, made; and eked mekel therto, as him thoght spedeful to edificacion and swettenes of deuocion, and lering of lewed men. And here is no thing sayd bot as haly writ says and grete doctours: and therfor thou that redys this, and any comfort has ther-Inne, pray god be way of charite to haue mercy on him that turned it in this maner. And if thou couayt to loue god and to plese him, take [this] mirrour and loke oft ther-Inne.

WHo-so wele thinkes, wele may say, ffor of gode thoghtes comes gode dedes ay. God send vs thoght to his plesyng, In whos fre wil hynges all thyng. He is god and lord of myȝtes mast, The fader and sone and haligast; In godhed are thise persones thre, And all are on god in trinite; None is othir of thise persons thre, Bot alle are on god and ay sal be. Oure mede is to trowe this with stable thoght, Al-be-hit that mannes skil proues it noght; Bot when we sal se god clerly, Than sal we knawe this witerly. Of the begynnyng of the world. GOd in vj dayes made bothe erthe & heuen, And, to make haliday, cessed at the seuen. Heuen was occupid with angeles kynde, Euermore on god for to haue thair mynde— Bot many thorgh pride fel in to helle, Thar sal thei all with-outen ende dwelle. Bothe sunne and mone [mor] briȝt thai ware Then seuenfold then thay now are, And all erthli thing more vertuous, Bi-for Adam thurgh synne was vicious; And ilk a best sul[d] haue bowed to mannes will, Had he neuer bi way of synne don none ill. When god had the world so parfit made That no partie of hit defaut hade, Then of erth he made Adam, of man age, To his liknes in saule he was & his ymage. Of a rib of Adam syde, when he lay slepand, God made Eue, that sho to him suld ay be kepand. Of on god made al man-kynde, for ilkon suld loue other And non til other do wrong mor then til his brother.vv. 33-4 added. What lyf myȝt morr. mor ioyful? be schewed to man in charite Then in saule make him lik to the haly trinite, Make him lord of al the world, ful of vertueȝ, & wise, Make him eir of heuen-blis & sette him in paradis, Thare he and all that come of him myȝt leue with-outen deyng, If thay vse the frut of lif & kepe wel godes biddyng. Of all the trees of paradis bi goddis biddyng thei suld ete, But the frut of the tre of wetyng of gode & ille thei suld lete; What tyme as thei ete of that, thai suld forfet thair heritage & be oblischid to deth & helle-payne, thai & all thair lynage. Bot, if thai had kepid wel all goddis biddyng, Thai suld haue leued ioyfully, & all thair ofspring, Til thai had ben tan til heuen, to fille that fair place That thurgh pride of lucifer & his feres voyde was; Thare thai suld haue had mor ioye than hert may thenk or tunge telle, & neuer non of thair kynd suld haue suffride payn of helle. Of the losyng of the world thurgh synne. WHen adam & eue sesyn hade in the blis of paradys, The fende, for he hade that ioye lost, enuy had to thair delice. Then he come in neddir liknesse to eue with a wommans face, & sayde: "whi bad god ȝe suld noȝt ete of all trees that ther was?" "Of all the trees," quad eue, "that thar is, we may ete at oure liking, Out-tan on that is forbod, paraunter for dred of deyng." Than sayde the fend: "ȝe sall noȝt deye therfore, god wot it wele, Bot as godr. godis, cf. v. 576. sall ȝe be, knawand bothe gode & yuell." Eue sagh that the frut was gode & ful gretly lykand: Sho tastid sone, & gaf therof till her owen husband. Adam wolde noȝt greue his wyf, bot sone he ete with hir. Alas, that synne oblisched vs al til wikkid hell-fire! Sone thai were put fro that place to sorow & to care, That neuer myȝt no creature recouer it mare. Alle thing vnder heuen made was to mannes solace, And therfor, syn he synned, all thai lesse vertue has. All man-kynde for-thi was put to thraldom of the fende, And bounden all to his prison ay with-outen ende. How may thrall with riȝt clayme a thing of fre heritage? With his lord may he noȝt mote, ne non of his lynage. Thus was all this world lost; ther was no help in creature. Bot god wist what was his wil, that of all thing has cure. Of the ten commaundements.This passage is added to the Fr. THen with the x commandements god forbed all synne & taght man how he myȝt him gret mede wynne. The first is, to worschipe on god and no mo. This biddyng sal be vnderstanden so That it forbedes all mamettrie, And also all maner of sorcerie. Mammentrie is, to do creature that honour That thou suld do all-onely to thi creatour, That is, worschipe him for him-self ouer all other thing. A seint sal thou worschipe for he is his derlyng. Ymages in the kirk that thou on lokes, Are to the as to the clerk are his gode bokes: Thou sal not worschipe thaim bot for thairr. that? sake That thei bringe to thi mynd thi prayer to make. The second is: tak not the name of thi god in vayn. Ilk fals oth, vnleful & idelswering om.? is ther-agayn; He is ay in peril of synne dedly That sweres bi goddis hert or any party. This biddyng forbedes alle heresy, And also all feyned and fals ypocrisy. The thrid is: thou sal kepe wel thi haliday. That is thus mekel openly for to say: Put fro the synne & bodely werkyng, And gif the to god with hertly prayng. Tak kepe here that on halyday marchandyse Lettes man oft of goddes seruise. The ferd is: worschipe thi fader & thi moder. Be way of kynde thes two may noȝt be the to dere; To thaim ogh thou buxumnes & honour, And also in thair [nede] help and socour. And haly kirk is thi moder gastly, And the keper of thi saule thi fadir, sot[h]ly; And who so is thi warldly lord or thi kyng, Is taken for thi fadir in this byddyng. The fift is: thou salt no man sle vnlaghfully. That is to say, nother bodely ne gastly; ffor ille ensaumple, hate, & bakbityng Are ille to thi neghbur gastly sleyng; Hurtyng bothe gastly & bodely is forbed, And wernyng of mete to the pour in peril of ded. The sext is: thou sal don non auoutrie. And this forbedes all maner of lecherie, Bot it be betwix the & thi wyf with gode entent, ffor to kepe the lagh of god in that sacrament. The seuent biddes that thou sal no thing stele Ne non othir mannes gode agayns his wille dele. This forbedes fals cautels, deceit, and maystrie, That mas many to loise his gode vnriȝtwisly; And who so harmes any man in this maner, Sal noȝt be saf, bot he make asseth at his power. The aghtend is: bere agayn no man fals witnes, And in tyme & maner skilful layne thou sothfastnes When it is noȝt lefful & nedful to say, And al lesyng eschue as wele as thou may. The neyghend is: thi neghbur hous sal thou noȝt coueit. In this is forboden assent to wrang & deceit. The tend is: thou sall noȝt ȝerne another mannes wyf, His seruant ne his other thing, that may helpe his lyue. Here is forbeden alle maner of wikked couetyse That myght harme thi neghbur on any-maner wise. If slik thoght come to thi hert, thou sal noȝt assent, Bot euer agayn-stande with gode auysement: And then sal thou noȝt falle in dedly synne, Bot ilk a tyme a croun of gret ioye wynne. Thurgh this ten thou may wynne gret ioye, & eschewe payn. Bot more help mot open heuen-ȝates the agayn. Who-so suld agayn blis to manr. mankynd? wynne, Him behoued be a man that myȝt noȝt synne, And he most ay fulfille alle goddes wille And neuer in thoght, word, ne dede don non ille; Slik on myȝt, if he wald, a gode raunson wage And bye agayn both man &r. & mannis? heritage. Bot slik a man in erth myȝt neuer be made, If he of all creatours all vertues hade. Of the restoring of the warld. A Kyng ther was of souerayne worthines, fful of mercy & wysdam & all godenes. A sone he hadde, knewe all his wille, And myȝt and wald al hit fulfille. Thai were ay bothe al on substaunce, And betwix theim was no distaunce; What as the fader wald haue amendyd, By his sone godely hit suld be endid. ffour doghters hade this grete kyng, That fulfillid all his likyng; Thai were of his substance ilkon, And all that substance was bot on. Thai foure doghters thurgh comune assent Parformed al his iugement. Bot if thise foure vse ay wele thair myght, May neuer no rewme be rewled right. The names of thaim with-outen les Are: Mercy, Sothfastnes, Right, & Pes. Mercy, when sho hade parceyued How all man-kynde was deceyued Thurgh the fende that be foul treson Has geten him to his prison And euermore with enuy Will torment him as enemy, Sho was so stered to compassion That sho wald deliuere that prison. Here spak Mercy. THus til her fader sho began To pray him for synful man: "Dere fader, kyng of myȝtes mast, Thi doghter y am, wele thou wast, fful of myknes, swetnes and pite; Dere fader, all thes haue y of the. Now here my praier for this prison, That he may be put til his raunson. His enemys with thair falshede Has put him to so gret nede That he may neuer saued be, Bot thurgh mercy and gret pite. Thair falshed may gretly letted be, And that prison be ȝolden to me. Dere fader, mercyful is thi name, And y thin eldest doghter ame; That y were thi doghter, myȝt y neuer say Bot y wald euer for sinful man pray. Thi mercy thurgh riȝt sall he haue, And thi gret mercy sal him saue. I sal euer crie mercy to the Til that wreched prison deliuerd be. Dere fader, my praier may noȝt be lette, ffor y am ouer all thi werkes to sette." Here spak Sothfastnes. WHen the second sister, sothfastnes, Hade herd, mercy thurgh here swetnes Wold sone bye the synful prison agayn That sho hade iugged to ay-lastand payne, Sho sayde: "dere fader, thi doghter am y, As ner sib to the as is my sister mercy. Mercy of no thing may wele gife the dome, Bot if y, sothfastnes, with her come; Hir praier may noȝt be herd of the Bot if hit acordand be with me. If all hir prayers suld ay be herd, Neuer no shrewe for the sul be ferd, Ne neuer punist no wikkednes: That is gretly agayns riȝtwisnes; ffor he suld haue no mercy That is dampned riȝtwysly." Here spak riȝtwysnes. THen riȝtwisnes, the third sister, sayde: "Dere fader, in me is all dome laide; I ne may noȝt spare to say to the, All that sothfastnes telles to me I mot dele to euer-ilk-one, Gode or ill after thei haue done. Thi wikkid seruant is in prison, As he was demed with gret reson. I may noȝt fro this sentence vary Bot I to riȝt wald be contrary. Mercy ne pite is nonr. man? worthi, ffor that he lost thaim wilfully."— Alas catyf prison, now has thou no frende Bot mercy, that praies for a gode ende! Sothfastnes has accused the, And riȝtwisnes has dampned the; Thou & all that of the come To helle-fire has herd ȝour dome. Thin enemy gret stired the to trespas, And riȝtwisnes of the no mercy has, And mercy may noȝt be herd. Ther-for pece may be ferd. When no forgifnes may be, Thai may noȝt dwelle in cuntre. All mankynde dyes and is put to payn, Bot Enok and Ely that sal come agayn. Gret dole is to think on this, How al mankinde fordone is; Sothfastnes & riȝt has geuen thair iuggement, Bot mercy & pees were noȝt of that assent. If all go bi reddure of riȝt & sothfastnes, How sall mercy and pes shewe the kinges godenes? If al be thaim one deme sothfastnes & riȝt, Mercy, pete & pece sal loise al thair myȝt. ¶ Here spake Pece. NOw pece to the king begynnes to say: "ffaire gode dere fader, thou has loued me ay, Thou art endles of pece prince & also king, And euer in pece salt thou be, for ther [is] thi dwellyng; If y for debate suld away fle, Thou suld haue no place lykand to the. Mi two dere susters now haue thai me forsaken, And mercy with thaim two ȝit haue thai not taken; With-outen vs thai be thaim-self han gyuen a iuggement, That suld haue ben gyuen trewly with comenMS. cōe, r. commune? assent. Ther-fore hit sal noȝt ben of recorde Til we four ben all of on acorde. All erthly thing is made for gode pece, And with-outenouten on the margin. hit may ben non ese. Iustisry is neuermore nedeful Bot when it is to pece spedeful. How suld right & sothfastnes auaile When thai wil noȝt call me to thair counsaile, Ne mercy my sister that ay so gode is, That withouten hir no gilt amendid isr. nis? Ther-fore out of cuntre wil I fle Til my thre sisters acorded be. If sothfastnes mete with mercy, Then sall kis riȝtwisnes & y. The prison calles euer vppon mercy, And mercy for him wil ay to the, king, cry Til for him be paied al his raunson And he be deliuered out of prison." ¶ Here spak the Kinges sone. NOw the kinges sone has wele sene That debate is his sisters betwene And hit may noȝt wele be amesed Bot in to his hande it be sesed. He says to that myȝty kyng anon: "Dere fader, thou and I are all on, On substance, on wysdam, & on powere, And god, while the holy gast is oure fere. All on in substance if we be, Neuer-the-les in persons we are thre. Thurgh me the warld thou made of noȝt: Thurgh me agayn let hit be boght! Mercy has so mekel moued me That of that prison I haue pite. Dere fader, I wil don al thi wille And punysch al that is don ill: I sal take the clething of that wretchid prison And priuily for him sal I paye raunson: Of his kynde wil I become And for him wil y take dome; More payn then riȝt & sothfastnes wold haue Wil y suffre, that prison for to saue. On this maner sothfastnes and mercy Sal sone be made gode frendes verraly; Also pece and riȝtwisnes Thai sal kis with gret swetnes." ¶ Here spak the autour. WHo-so redes this romance, Trowe in god with on substance. Bot on is god & persons thre, Non othir thing in god may be. ffour sisters that we before rede, Are foure vertues in the godhede: To foure doghters thai haue lyknyng, ffor thai procure all gode doyng; Bot all thai are on god of myȝtes mast, He is fader and sone and haly gast. If thou trowe this wele & stedfastly, Thou may haue mede ay-lastan[d]ly. ¶ Here spak the king.This passage is added. THe kyng has herd his awen sones speche, That of all the warld is a god leche; "Dere sone," he says, "thurgh the I made all thing, And all the warld hynges in thi keping; Thou, & the haly gast, with me Dose all gode dede that done sal be; Oure dede may neuer departid be, ffor all on god in kynde are we thre. All only thou sal take manhede. Bot all we thre sall do the dede, Riȝt as two virgyns clethes the third And ȝit none of thaim bot on is cled. Dere sone, this was oure al threr. althre? purpos & curage When we made man to oure liknes & ymage; This hight y to Abraham and to dauid, And my prophetes acorded ther-with. If mankynd sal out of his prison wynne, A man mot for him dye that has no-maner synne, That is of myȝt to ryse fro dede to the lyue, And his with him out of prison ryue; And siche myȝt ther be neuer non Bot he were bothe god & man. Dere sone, if thou wil dye & suffre payne, Bothe aungel & mankynde may be ful fayne. That souerayne grace and meknes Sall be so ful of swetnes, That neuer may man wele haue in his mynnyng Bot he be sterid to loue the ouer al thing, And titter be reson his hert suld brest Then he for any thing suld breken thi hest." ¶ Of ysaies prophecies. Off ihesu crist telles ysay To all mankynde verrayly: How a child is born til vs, And a sone is gyuen til vs, His name sal be callid wonderful, Counsellour, & god, & strenghtful, ffader of the warld that sal come, And prince of pece sal be his nome. ¶ Here spake the autour. Iff any best in shap passed cours of kynde, A wonder in that wald many man fynde; Bot if a parfit man were a parfit as, Mikel more meruayl wald man say it was; Bot more maruayl may who so can How verraily is on bothe god & man. ffor he wald saue mankynde that fouly was lorn, Child of a nerthly woman wald he be born. Syn god in erth for loue of man wald mak his halle, Nede it was to make it best & fairest of alle. ¶ How ihesus entred in to a castil. THer-for a castel has the king made at his devys, That thar= dar neuer drede assaut of any enemys; He sette hit on a whit roche thik & hegh, With gode dykes al aboute, depe and dregh. Men may neuer with no craft this castil doun myne, Ne may neuer do harme to hit no-maner engyne. This castil is euer ful of loue & of grace, To al that any nede has, socour & solace. ffour toures ay hit has & kernels fair, Thre bailliees al-aboute that may noȝt apair. Nouther hert may wele thinke ne tung may wel telle Al the bounte & the bewte of this ilk castell! Seuen barbicans are sette so sekirly aboute That no maner of shoting may greue fro with-oute. This castel is paynted with-out with thre-maner colours: Rede brennand colour is a-boue toward the fair tours, Meyne colour is ymyddes of ynde & of blewe, Grene colour be the ground, that neuer changes hewe. Thes colours bothMS. beth. [fer] & nere castes so mekil liȝt, That, when men behaldes thaim, comfort mekil thair siȝt. The castel al with-in, who-so may hit knawe, Ay is blaunched als whit as any dryuen snawe. ffour fair stremes in hit out of a welle springes ffro myddes the hegh tour, thai fille the dykinges; So fair and so gode that liquour ther is That he that drank oght therof myȝt haue mekel blis. A chaier of yuor ther was sette in this ilk tour, With seuen grees vpward, with worschipe & gret honour; Was neuer non half so fair in this warld sene, Ne neuer non so semly hade prince ne quene; Hit was made sotilly, & al be compas cast, The raynbowe enuyround it al stedefast. The kynges sone has made it for his awne se— Was ther neuer non so fair ne neuer-more sal be. ¶ What betokenes this castil. THis castil of solas & of socour Is hir blissed body that bar oure saueour; Hit was made for refuyt to all manes kynde— Who-so fles ther-to, socour sal he fynde. The roche whit & fair with his stablenes Is the hert of hir in al halynes, That sette hir to serue god with-outen any drede The next leaves are misplaced.In souerayne clene meknes & clene maydenhede. The grene colour bi the ground, that wil so wele last, Is the treuth of oure lady, that ay was stedefast. The meyne colour in the myddest of this castil walle Was stable hope to come to grace, that saue mankynd sall. The rede colour abouen, brennand in the siȝt, Was brennand loue of god & man, that gyues mykil liȝt. No wonder ifMS. of this castil ware ful whit with-Inne, ffor the hert of that may was neuer foulyd with synne. The four toures gret & strong, that fair were to se, Ware gastly strenght & sobernes, riȝt & sutilte; Thes four vertues stekes out al maner of wykkednes And kepes fast with-ynne al that is godnes. The baillies, on ay with-ynne a nother in thre stage, Are clene maydenhed, & moderhed, & inom. in? trewe spousage; Woman with thes thre bot seint mary was ther neuer non; Bot who-so sal be sauf of synne, of thes he most haue on. Seuen barbicans fair seuen vertues calle we, That in oure lady suffred no vice for to be: ffor gret meknes in hir hert venquist ay al pride; And hir gret charite enuy myȝt not abyde; Hir discrete abstinens fordid al glotonye; And hir clene maydenhed suffred no lecherie; Wikkid couetyse in hir hert myȝt neuer dwelle, ffor wilful pouert in hir hert keped the castil; Pacience in hir hert euer was so prest That synne of wrath ther-in myȝt neuer haue rest; Ther was so mekil in hir hert of comfort gastly That ther myȝt neuer synne of slewth dwelle ther-by. The fair welle in the castil that filles ay the dykes, Is grace in goddes moder that synful man ay likes. Thou that myster has of grace, go to this spring-welle; Who so help has of hir, sal neuer go to helle. vv. 435-446 freely added.Make the dykes of meknes & of gode wille And four stremes of that grace sal the sone fille: On streme euermore sal the clene wasch of synne that is past, Another agayn temptacion sal make the stedefast, The thirde sal stere the to do werkes of charite, And the ferd sal bere the to blis that ay sal be. This welle is euermore springand mercy & pite; If thou haue no part therof, it is al lange on the. The trone of yuor is the saule of oure swete lady; Seuen grees that lys therto, are werkes of mercy; The raynbowe that bendes ouer with his colours thre, Is the myȝt that couers hir of the haly trinite. No wonder if this castel were ful fair in siȝt, When god, the sonne of riȝtwisnes, wald ther-in liȝt! He come thurgh the cloise ȝate, & when he went clois it was; Riȝt as the briȝt sonne-beme comes & goos thurgh the glas. Al that man nede has of [is] in this ilk castell; He that help has of hit, has ynogh of wele. ¶ Here spak the autour. GEntil lady of this castell, Let me my myscheue to the telle. Moder of mercy & qwene of pite, To synful man thou art ay avowe: Ther-for at thi ȝates now y lye, Thi help and mercy for to crye; Mercy sal y fast crie befor this louely tour, Euer til I fynde sum of thi socour. Hope of help me made hider for to fle When thre gret enemys fast pursued me: On is the foule fende with al his companie, That puttes forth pride & wrath & gret enuye; The secund is the fals warld with many schrewed gyse, That shotes ay at me sharply with all couetise; The third is myn awne flesch, to me a gret enemy, That prickes me with lecherie, sleuth, & glotony. Welle of mercy, I be ded & sone al fordon Bot a streme of thi grace come to me sone. Lady, let me lye in thi castel dyke And wasch me wele ther to thi seruant like: Then, if myn enemys wil me assaile, In traist of thi gode help y tak that bataile. In this castil ihesu crist tok of the mankynd: Ther-for hope y euer herMS. hir socour for to fynde; Here hid god his gret power in mannes liknes & laide enbuschement for the fend & al his wikkednes.MS. wilk|ednes Thou art the ȝert of aaron that bar the faire flour, When thou in clene maydenhede bar thi creatour; Thou art the stegh of iacob thurgh wham is gate to heuen— He may hope wele of help that deuoutly wil the neuen. The Kinges sone of al this world ligh the with-ynne ffor to saue & socour wel al synful man of synne.— Now he has acorded alle his sisters foure, And pece is cryed for man heghe vp in the toure. Now god & man are to-geder both in O person; Now has man ynogh wharwith to bye him fro prison; Now on man more parfit & withouten lak Than euer was Adam ar he goddis biddyng brak, He is fre to plede for vs & al oure riȝt dereigne, And no creature may haue cause vp-on him to pleyn. In token of the prince of pees, when he til vs come, Pees was ouer-al in the world, & reuling was in rome; Ioye is sungen now to god vpon hegh in heuen And pes in erthe til al man that are of gode wil euen. ¶ How ihesus was gode counseillour. NOw, man, behold thi saueour, Howe he was gode counseillour, To bringe the to thin heritage That was forfet thurgh outrage. If thou wil ay folowe his rede, Thou sal eschue ay-lastand dede And so recouer the ioye of heuen, If thou wil folowe his counseill euen. When he for the become man here, He fand the a thrall, of no power ffor to recouer that thou had lost, Bot he for thi riȝt wold pay the cost. Then souerayn meknes and charite Schewed ihesu MS. xpristchrist, thi lord, for the; "Dere brothir," he said, "of the I haue pite grete, That al thi fair heritage fouly is forfait. Neuer-the-lees fal noȝt in despeir, ffor of that heritage y am heir; To double riȝt hit falles to me:515-522 al. Fr. The ton of thaim y may wele gyf the; If thou wil kepe my comaundement, Thou sal ay haue it verrament. ffor I am god, blis is bounden to me so fast That y may neuer fro me hit cast; ffor I am of adam kynde & with-outen synne, I may clayme his heritage & bi skil hit wynne. If thou wiloverlined. ouer al thing riȝt hertly loue me, And loue thin euen-cristen for the loue of me, All thin enemys the agayn sal no-thing auaile, And y sal sone for thi sake to me ta this bataile, If thou wil hald [in] thi hert how y for the sal fiȝt. Mi ȝok sal ay be swete to the, & my birthin ful liȝt. Lerne at me, for I am mylde & also meke of hert." Ther-to may mekel help ay wilful pouert: Meknes is a verray token of him that is in grace, And pride an euidence of him that charite non has; He that settes his hert to mekel on riches, Thai drawe him sone te pride fro vertue of meknes. ¶ Here spak the autour. NOw sues that man his lordes counsail That al to the contrary dos trauail? How may he socour seke of ihesu meknes, That settes him-self to mekel vpon heghnes? Ther-for drede he may that so wil him bere Of a foul falling doun with lucifere. Neuer-the-lees a riche man with his riȝtwisnes, And he loue ay god wele in hertly meknes, He may wele saue his saule with fast fleyng of synne, And with werkes of mercy the Ioye of heuen wynne. ¶ How ihesus mot with the fende. NOw here how thi lord mette [the fend] for thi riȝt, Atte last for thi loue put him to fiȝt. When the godhede was hid in the mankynd And the fende in him no synne myȝt fynde, He tempted him with thre thinges that made adam dede.548-563 added. "If thou be goddes sone," he said, "make of stones brede." "Noght only thurgh brede," quad ihesu crist, "leues man, Bot thurgh ich word that comes of goddes wysdam." The fend sette crist on the temple & bad him lepe doun,MS. don Goddes aungeles to kepe him suld be redy & boun, If he were goddes sone, in handes thai suld him bere, So at no ston suld he stumble ne nothing suld him dere. "Writen," quad ihesu crist, "in haly writ y rede: Thou suld not tempte god thi lord, when thou has no nede." The fend shewid him al the warld & saide: "this gif y the, If thou wil bowe doun to the ground & so adour me." "Writen it is," quad ihesu crist, "thi god sal thou adoure, And only sal thou serue him with so mekil honoure. Go, satanas," quad ihesu crist, "for the am y noȝt ferd." "And I am prince," quad the fend, "of this midlerd; I haue gode sesyn ther-ynne & of ful lange tyme, And be confermyng of god al mankynd is myne. ffor man brak goddes bydding & of the appel ete, He sal be in payn with me euermore, I the hete; God wil not do so gret wrong to reue me my pray. If he haue any riȝt, let se what he can say! The couenant that god made, that sal I alway hold; No man for to breke it sal neuer be so bold." "Man," quad ihesu, "hade keped al goddes biddyng, Hade he noȝt be lettid with [thi] betrayng, When thou saide til eue 'for that mete sal noȝt man dye, Bot ȝe sal be as goddes, bothe wyse & sle.' How may thou couenant reioysFr. de c. jouir be reson That thou made man to breke be thi foul treson?" "Alas," then quad the fend, "wher hade thou this connyng ffor to venquys me to-day thus with thi motyng? Mote euermore how as thou mote will, Man sal euermore be in my prison stille, Bot if thou, be-fore he passe forth, Paye as mekil raunson for him as he is al worth." "That is reson," quad ihesu crist, "& that ful verrailye, I wil noȝt tak man fro the with vnskilful maistrie. Loke what his raunson sal be skilfully, And I sal paye hit for him, & that ful largely." "Better," then quad the fend, "sal his raunson be Then al this ilk warld is worth that thou now may se." "I graunt," quad ihesu crist, "to this couenant; ffor my lest fynger is mekil more vailiant Then a thousand worldes, if that thai ware." "Certes," quad the fend then, "that is al my care; ffor of al this warld ay y haue sum skill, Bot in the is no thing sene at myn awen will. And if thou wil gyue thi fynger him to bye, Than sal thou make a febil marchandie. And ȝit most thou suffre for him als mekil payn As he hade done & he in helle euer hade layn." Ihesu said: "I sal do more than thou has ast,= asked And this couenant betwix vs sal be made ful fast." Then the fend him to the dede as for his prison toke, And choked on the godhede as fisch dos on the hoke. ¶ Of cristes passion. BEhald now the passion of cristes manhede, How he gaf al him-self to socour the at nede, Both body & saul, & his lymes alle Lete punysch for the, when that thou was thrall. 609-624 added.Thre & thirty ȝere for the, to bye thi forfete, He suffred cold, hungur & thrist, & trauail wonder grete. Befor that he for synne of man til his passion ȝode, He prayed so hertly til his fader that he swette blode. He was tane as a thef, & bounden wonder fast, & bette with hard knotty stringes whil thei wold last; ffro the croun of the hed to the fote-sole No pece of his skyn myȝt be founden hole. ffete & hande were drawen out & nayled to the tre, As straitly, for more penaunce, as euer thai myȝt be; He was lifted vpon hegh & leten doun so fast That all the vaynes & the synnues in his body brast. All that blissed body stremed doun of blode, ffor to wasch synne—ther was a noble flode! His saule [was] ful drery agayn the deyng, To make asseth for thi saule wikked likyng. The sharpe croun of thornes crouned him so fast That the sharpnes of thaim in to the brayn brast, And then he henged doun his heued with mekel meknes, ffor to make asseth for mannes proudnes.al. Fr. His eghen wex fade & dym & lost al thaire myȝt, ffor to make asseth alway for synne of mannes siȝt. His eres hard fals reproues with gret scornyng, ffor to make asseth fully for synne of oure hering. His neys smelled of the Iewes snot & foul spitting That thei cast vpon his face to blode & sweting: This suffrance of ihesu crist that lord is of al thing May make asseth for all synne of oure smelling. Bitter aisel and galle, when he was thristy, Drank he, to make fully asseth for mannes glotony. When he was aght dayes old, with a culter of stone Thai karf his tendre membre away—that bi the lagh was don: This penance of that child that was so worthi Miȝt make asseth for synne of mannes lechery.639-42 added. Al the body aboute with brising & beting Was punysched ynogh for synne of touching. His hende nayled to the crosse al for thi sake May for synne of thin hend asseth ynogh make. His fete nayled thurgMS. thurd with yrne nayles Made asseth for al thi wikkid trauayles. He prayed for man til his fader hyngand an the croys With bittir teres, & ȝeld the gast with a gret voys. He was both god & man ful verraily, That so ȝelded the gast lyueand the body: ffor saule goos neuer fro the body be the cours of kynde Whyl thou may in the body fyue wittes fynde; Bot god strenghed his body to suffre more reddure Than euer myȝt haue suffred any other creature. His hert that was clouen thurgh with a sharp spere, That may make asseth for al synne that may dere; His hert-blode & clene water was ther-out broȝt, To wasch away al enuy & al ille thoȝt. This of ful gret mercy is sette on comon broche, And the welle of pite springes out of this roche. If thou wil forsake synne & cry mercy, Thou sal neuer faile ther-of, certaynly; How that thou may synne with any lymme that is thine, A lymme of crist is punysched to thi medicine.— When god thus suffred dede, as we rede in boke, The sunne sone with-drogh his liȝt, and the erthe whoke,= quoke And the vail of the temple euen brast in two, And the harde stones swiftly cleue also; Many a man rose than that were before dede, And al bare thei wittenes of his godhede.vv. 667-672 added. ¶ Of the sorowe of oure lady. WHat sorowe hopes thou then hade his modur mary, When thing that has no reson for him was so sary! Certes, lady, Symond swerd past thurgh-out thi hert, And the paynes of thi sone were in the ful smert, That thi hert hade neuer lasted on non-kyn wyse Hade thou noȝt trewed stedfastly that he suld vprise. Lady, what nede was the for to make sorowe, ffor thi sone dyed synful man to borowe? Thou wote that he sal ryse agayn thurgh his awen myȝt & with a body ful of ioye, apertely to thi siȝt. Thou wote the fend is venquist, & wetes it noȝt, Til thi sone out of helle haue al his chosen broȝt. ffro he dyed til he rose that [men] myȝt him se, Alle the trewth of halikerk was stedfast in the; Alle his awen disciples of him thai were dredand, Bot the faith in thi hert ay it was lastand. Dere lady, succour vs of dedly synnyng, ffor the ioye that thou hade of his vprising! ¶ How ihesus is almyȝti.Fr. deus omnipotent HE rose by his awne myȝt, & that verraily, And shewed so that he was ihesus almyghti. He that al this warld made first of riȝt noȝt, Man dampned agayn with his blode he boȝt. Thus has he gyuen vs a gode counsail, And thurgh riȝt venquist the fend in batail. His lyf has shewed vs a ful redy gate ffor to entre, if we will, in-with heuen-ȝate. ffor we sul traist on him in al oure nede, He shewed vs the myȝt of god in his manhede. Power of god and man was mellid in his dedis, And that to stablenes of oure treuth gretly spedis. Riȝt as a sharp swerd of the fire al glowand The egge kerues if he smyte, the hete is brennand, So godhede & manhede in o person Shewed thair kyndnesr. kyndes to mannes reson. We rede: when he was called til a weddyng, Whan thaim failed wyne, sone at his bydding Thai filled pottes of clene water in the stede of wyne: And thai were turned in to wyne, & that gode & fyne. When he bad fette water, he shewed his manhed, And when he turned hit to wyne, he shewed his godhed. ffor he myȝt haue made wyne with-outen water broȝt, Riȝt as he made, when he wald, al the warld ar. of noȝt. Also with fyue loues & only fisches two He fedde, as we rede, fyue thousand & mo; When thai hade eten ynogh, all that ther were, Twelf lepes of relef ful away thei bere. His manhed to thaim all delt bret & fische, Bot his godhed ther multiplied al this. Ȝit we rede that lazar hade [lain] four dayes in his graue When ihesu crist fro ded to lyue wald him vp haue; ffirst he grette & sithen he cryed to laȝar: That shewed that he was verray man thar; When lazare rose fro the ded & diedr. did mannes dede, Then was shewed that in crist was verray godhede. ¶ Of the sacrament of the auter.This passage is added. GOd of all his meruailes made vs a gode mynd When he wold in forme of brede dwell with mankind. Thurgh the vertue of cristes wordes of the sacrament That the prest reherces at his messe with gode entent, Brede in to cristes flesch, & wyne in to his blode, Sudanly is turned, for mannes gastly fode; Nother brede ne wyne is after sacryng in the messe, Bot verray goddes flesch & blode, in thair liknes. Ther is of brede & wyne sauour, colour, & figure, Lastand thurgh goddes wil agayn cours of nature; But vnder this liknes is non other substance Bot goddes body & his blode with thair purtenance. In crist god & man, saul & body, flesch & blode Are so fast knyt to-geder with kynde & loue gode That whar that is any party of cristes awen body Ther will god be & thai all verraily. Ther-for vndir liknes both of wyn & brede Is verray both god & man that for vs was dede. This is goddes dede, & passes mannes wit— He has mekel mede that trewly trowes hit. In this liknes gyues hit vs god, that is so gode, ffor we wald be escheu of rawe flesch & of blode. Brede & wyne in the stomak taken to mete Turnes in to flesch & blode thurgh kyndly hete: Whi may noȝt god then, that al thing made of noȝt And as haly writ sais many wonder wroȝt, Turne sone in to flesch & blode both brede & wyne, ffor to be to cristen man gastly medicine? If thou receyue his flesch & blode worthily, Thou sal be as [a] quik lym of his body; And if thou kepe the so out of dedly synne, As a cosyn of his thou sal heuen wynne. The pask-lambe in the ald lawe that al men suld ete, And mani. manna, Hebr. man. that god send fro heuen til his folk [to] mete, & blod that was euer offrid for clensyng of synne: Was taken of his sacrament that oure help is ynne. All the tokens of this sacrament that we ay can fynd In the old lawe, t[h]rugh trouth of this comes til oure mynd, & all the maruailes that god [wroȝt] ar he man ware & [comen]om., or r. boren? of that clene mayden & modir that him bare. If man wil with al his myȝt loue this sacrament & vse hit out of dedly synne ay with gode entent, Nother tunge may wel telle ne hert may wel think The noble and gastly profit of this mete & drink. ¶ How ihesus is al strenghty. NOw hast thou herd wele how ihesus is almyȝty; Here now how he is ouer al other strenghty. This name of ihesus has so gret in himr. in him so gret vertu & myȝt That all in heuen, erth & helle suld til him loute with riȝt; Oft in this name god mannes prayer spedes Agayn the fend that hit ful mekil dredes. This name is mirthe in hering, & comfort in siȝt, Triacle in mouth & in hert, that is of mekil myȝt, Socour to all synful men, & to seke solace, To him that is repentant ay ful of grace. The fend was prince of this warld & hade man in prison Ay til our [lord] ihesu crist hade suffred passion; Ther was non so hely= haly that myȝt in erth dwell Bot his saule, qwen he died, suld go to hell. Hely men were in merknes ther thai no payn feld, Bot the fend fro thair ioye agayn thair wil thaim held, And the ȝate of paradys was agayn thaim stoken, Til ihesus with his passion hade made it open. When the fende sagh him wele on the crois hyngand, He wend to haue made him forth ay in hell lengand; Bot sone the saul with the godhede as a fere lyon And a kyng of al the warld, & noȝt as a prison, Come to hell & brast thair barres with his will fre, And toke out all anon with him that dyed in charite. Him calles men a lord strong and myȝty That has ay when he wil in batail the maistry. Sone he venquist the fend & cuttyd his power, That he suld noȝt tempt vs more then we miȝt bere. Thus is ihesus our refut, strenght & socour, Our help & our hele, our ioye & our honour. ¶ How crist is oure fader gastly. HEre now how crist was oure formfader gastly, Riȝt as adam was to man formfader fleschly. All that was of adam born, lost heuen for his synne, And all that cristes children will be bi him may hit wynne; Baptisme has the vertu of cristes hert-blode, To make thaim his childer that wil take hit withwil om.? gode. Thus riȝt as al men dyed thurgh adam, So may al be quikned agayn in cristes name. Was neuer no fader that any son so dere hade boȝt As crist, that man wesch of synne & out of prison broȝt. In fourty houres after his ded herged he helle[1 verse wanting.] And apered to his disciples in many-maner wyse, To proue soth that he said that he suld vprise. He ete & drank with thaim ichon, riȝt in thair siȝt, And spak that was nedeful to thaim, mekel of gastli liȝt. And elleuen of thaim he blamed sithen ffor thei trowed noȝt that he was vprisen. Bot it was til our faith ful heply That Thomas of ynde trowed lattly, Til he in to crist[es] hert-wond hade put his hand; Than said he: "thou art my god & my lord lyuand." "ffor thou has sene me," quad crist, "now thou trowes riȝt; Blissed be thai [that] trowes wele with-outen any siȝt!" When our faith was thus confermed as thou has wele hard, Then bad crist thei suld it preche thurgh-out al the warld, And [baptize] all that wald be in trouth stedfast, In the name of the fader & the son & the haligast; ffor ther [may] neuer non in heuen-blis wone Bot he thurgh baptyme be made cristes awen sone. In this fader was neuer no wemme of synne, The-for be him may [we] blis clayme & wynne. Adam come of erth & band vs all to prison: Crist then come fro heuen & payed for vs raunson. When he stegh vp agayn to heuen-riche blis, He tok al the ded with him that was his. Ther he haldes sesyn in his heritage To al that wil folow him of his lynage. Thar fader & sone & haligast Are all on god of myȝtes mast. In siȝt of this thre persons in on godhede Sal be in heuen our gret ioye & our mede; Then sal we se in that ioyfulnes How crist, our dere fader, is verray prince of pees.— vv. 845-954 added.When ihesu crist of heuen had wonnen his gret riȝt, Then was sent the haligast anon, as he hade hiȝt; His disciples hertes anon he wald enspire In the fader liknes with tunges of fire. So the haligast was send & sest thaim aboue, That of the fader & the sone is the gode loue, And is al on god with thaim in verray vnite, Bot he is third person in the trinite. When thei were thus fulfilled of the haligast, Thai couth wele al langage & speke hit sone in hast; Thai were so confermed in trouth & al ful of grace That for to preche goddes lawe thai dred no kinges face. ¶ Of the articles of trouth. HEre now of the articles of our trouth that we al traist Inne, & the seuen sacramentȝ that soccours vs of synne. We sal trowen in on god of myȝtes alther-mast, That is the fader & the sone & the haligast; None is other of this persones thre, Bot all are on god in theMS. thre trinite: Thes thre are on god & on verray nature, That made first of riȝt noȝt al-maner creature. We trowe in haly kirk, & haly mannes dedes, That god ay with his grace thaim strenghtes wel & spedes In trouth & sacramentȝ & dedes of charite, Thurgh whilk to the repentant forgifnes of synne sal be. He that trowes noȝt as halikirk, is in dedly synne, And mede in heuen in that state may he neuer wynne. At day of dome sal al mankynd vprise,This point is re|peated in v. 891. ffor to take ay-lastand dome on many diuers wise; The gode sal go to heuen to ay-lastand blis, And the wikkid to helle-fire that ay-lastand is. The aghtend article is of cristes manhede: How mary conceyued him in clen maydenhede; When the aungel gabriel come & gret hir with gode, The haligast made a body of hir clennest blode, & put a saul in to hit that al wysdam can; Then god the sone toke that & become man. The neghend is that he of maiden mary was born & no-thing of hir maydenhede ther-for was lorn. The tend is that he suffred paynes wilfully, Al to ded op-on the crois & biryng of body. The elleuend that crist in saule went doun to hell & toke out al his awen chosen that with him suld dwell. The twelft is that he rose fro dede on the thrid day And apperyd qwik in flesch with many tokens verray. The thrittend is that he stegh vp hegh in to heuen, Ther he sittes in manhed with his fader euen. The fourtend is that he sal come vpon domesday And gyue riȝtwis dome to qwik & dede, that sal last ay. ¶ Of the seuen sacraments. ȜEt the seuen sacramentȝ are nedful to kenne. ffor baptyme of al synne may soccour all men; For who as taas hit lawefully, Of synne is clensed al fully. The secund sacrament is confermyng: That agayn the fend is a gret strenghting. The third is the sacrament of the auter, That is declared a litel befor here. The ferth is penance ordaynd for mannes synne; This lawefully has thre parties him with-Inne: Sorow of hert, schrift of mouth, & asseth making— This thre of mede & grace bringes agayn taking. The fift sacrament is for seke men anoynting: This is soccour agayn al uenial synnyng. The sext is ordour that clerkes has on diuerse wise, And ther-thurgh has diuerse power in goddes seruise. That seuend betwix man & womman is wedding, ffor remedie of lecherie & childer nurishing. Thurgh gode & laweful vsyng of any of this seuen May men wele escheu payn & liȝtly come til heuen. Grace in this seuen heles man of al gastly sore; And seuen vertues ables him that thou red be-fore.v. 421 ff. Seuen giftes of the haligast helpes ay his dede, And seuen maner of blis parfourmes his mede. ¶ Of the seuen giftes of the haligast. THe first gift, dred of god, puttes fro man pride mast & makes him wele-manerd, pouer in hert and tast; & that are thus meke in hert, & pouer gastly, Crist blesses thaim alway, & heuen is thaires, treuly. The second gift is pite, that puttes out enuy & makes man to worschipe god, his fader gastly, & goddes lawe & his neghbour for goddes awen sake, & thes gode dedes gode, benigne & myld wil him make; Thai that has vertuously that ilk myldnes, Ay sal haue lyuyng in mekil blissednes. The third gift is cunnyng, that puttes away wrath & mas man to loue godenes, & with wikkednes to wlath, And haue sorow for his synne & taryyng of blis; ffor this is man blissed, & heuen sal be his; This gift of cunnyng may noȝt ful longe be With-outen gastly ioye & gret charite. The ferth gift is gastly strenght, that puttes away slouth & to eschape all perils mas man to haue trouth; Hit mas man to suffre wel, & long to bide riȝt, & riȝt be done to god & man ȝerne with al his myȝt; & who-so has this ȝernyng & hungres riȝtwisnes, Thai sal be ful-filled of hit & haue gret blissednes. That fift gift is counsail, that fordos couetise & in hegh thing & hard mas man of gode auyse; Hit mas man ay gode & benigne in alkyn thinge, And rewles hym wele in warkes of mercy doyng; & all that warkes of mercy dos deuoutely, Are blissed of ihesu crist & ay sal haue mercy. The sext gift is vnderstanding, that glotery fordos & stires to certayn= make certain trouth that him gastly behose, & makes him of all synne clene in hert to be; Suche men are blissid of crist, for thai sal god se. The seuent gift is wysdam, that fordos lecherie & confortes man in Ioye of god & pes swetly, And mas man to kepe & make pees with gret besines; Siche are called goddes childer, & sal haue blissednes. In suffring oght for riȝt standes the aghtend blis, & who as euer suffres so, the rewme of heuen is his. ¶ Of antecristes commyng.This passage is added. THat tyme when god wil suffre, before the [day] of dome To tempte & pursue cristen men anticrist sal come; He sal be born in babiloyn of the kynd of dan That sum tyme here in erth of Iacob childer was an; He sal regne in Ierusalem & him-self [crist] call. Then many of ther wretched Iewes sal fast til him fall. When he mas him god, his gode aungel sal him forsake, Then the fend sal him enspire & hede of wikkednes make; He sal feyne thurgh fendes craft nere al cristes meruailes, Bot ay in him charite, mercy & meknes failes. Simple men sal he deceyue with miracles doyng, Couetous with gret giftes, & gode with punysching, He sal make men as god to adour his ymage & on thair [forehede]a word om.: right hand or forehede, cf. Apoc. 13, 16. bere a mark of his seruage; Who-so has noȝt that mark, sal nouther bye ne sell, Bot antecristes tyrant sal thaim to ded quell. Be reson & in haly writ it is goddes sawe: Thurgh payn sal god neuer stresse man to forsake his lawe, Bot what as any man dos here with his fre will, Sal turne him, after it is, to gode or to ill. Betwix antecristes comyng & his gret ill doyng Sal Ely & Ennok com preche for mennes sauyng; Then antecrist sal sle thaim in Ierusalem, & god sal raise thaim to lif & tak thaim to his leme. Bot thre ȝere & a half sal antecrist haue maistry— ffor to saue his chosen that ordayns goddes mercy. Then thurgh goddes myȝt sal that wikked be slayn, & all chosen that trespast then sal turne agayn. The[n] ful many Iewes sal turne to cristes lawe, & halikirk sal liue in pes out of tyrantȝ awe, Shortir tyme or lenger, til that crist wil come, To make the worldes ende & gif his grete dome. ¶ Of the day of dome. IN the same fourme in whilk crist suffrid payn, To deme both qwhik & ded he sal come agayn. Then sal he shewe his body stremand al on blode, & his hert clouen in two as he henge on rode, & say: "for ȝow suffred I al this gret payn. Telles now what ȝe to me has done ther-agayn!" Allas, what may then til him synful man say That neuer wele with-outen synne spendes on day? Man sal ȝelde acompt then of al that god him sende, Body & saul, witte & gode, how he has it spende, & of ilk a nydel word that euer he here spak; In wikked word & wikked dede then sal be gret lak. After that degre of synne or of charite That any man dyes Inne, sal he domed be. Than sal clere conscience be mekil more of told Than any gret lordship with a world ful of gold: ffor al sal then perisch that we here now make, & synful man sal for drede sore tremble & qwak. All synne for whilk is noȝt worthily asseth made here, Bes shewed ther al openly, to shame & gret lere. Ilk a man then sal se his dome verraily & for gret drede of god thus sal thei all cry: "Montayns, falles doun on vs, for to hid vs, That we se noȝt the wrath of god that is so hedous! Allas that euer were we born any thing to craue, ffor with-outen ende we are lorn, for nothing may vs saue. Alas, alas, & wele-away, wher-of may we ȝelp? Whe are shent for euer & ay, for no thing may vs help." Haly writ sais that befor this dome Ouer al this wide warld a huge fire sal come; Seint Peter sais2 Petr. 3, 10. that then al sal brenne Erth & water & al the warld, & al that is ther-Inne. Heuens & ayr & all the elements ffire thurgh brennyng then sal clens. ffire sal noȝt touche heuen in the whilk is blis, Bot other heuens that vnder hit is. The fire sal purge venial synne, & ful hard pyne thaim that dedly [syn] is lnne;1021-4 added. Hit sal fordo thing that sal noȝt endure, And make al the remanant of fairer figure. 1027-42 added.Then al the qwik bestes sal tak thair endyng, That were made bot for a tyme of mannes leuyng. The four elements sal be fairer seuen-fold Then euer thai were any tyme, other newe or old. Ther sal be no chaunging fro cold to the hete, Ne non other tempest of wynd & wedirs gret; Al cold & hete, foul venum, fylth & stynk, ffor to punish thaim in hell, sal doun then synk.cf. v. 1095. The heuens sal noȝt turne aboute, bot stand ay in rest, The sunne ay in the est, the mone in the west; Ilkon sal be more clere seuen-fold than he was, Bot[h] to goddes worschipe & to mannes solas. This sais god bi ysaie, that his wil wele knewe: "Lo, I make both heuens & erth all span-newe." This fairnes of the warld sal dampned men noȝt se, ffor thai sal be in helle-payne or that fairnes sal be. ffirst, when god wil, sall aungeles a gret noyse make, & crist thaim that are in blis sal with him take, Then the remanant that sal be in that blis faire, Sal be rauyst him agayn vp in to the aere. All sall ryse fro ded to lyf of Adames lynage Als in thair awen statur of thritty ȝer age; All goddes chosen then sal ful parfit be, With-outen any foulnes or superfluite. Then sal crist say to thaim on his riȝt honde A gode word, of all wordes comfortande: "Come ȝe, my fader blissed, & haues the reume of heuen, That, befor the warld was made, [was] ordaynd ȝow ful euen. Ȝe gaf me mete whan I was hungry, Ȝe gaf me drynk whan y was thristy; When I hade nede ȝe harbard me; When I was naked ȝe cleded me; Ȝe visit me when I was seke, And in prison ȝe wald me seke. That ȝe did for my loue to the lest of myne, That same ȝe did to myself, theron sal ȝe noȝt tyne." Then wikked men for heuenes of synne Sall noȝt agayn crist in to the aier wynne, Bot thai on the erth [sal] cristes wordes here, That sal be to thaim with-outen ende a lere, When he sais: "go, waried, in to the fire of helle, Thar ȝe in payne with-outen ende with the fend sal dwell. Ȝe serued neuer ioye aylastandly, ffor ȝe fulfilled noȝt the warkes of mercy."— 1071-1090 added.Take now gode kepe here, wardly cristen man,MS. men & do thi saule profit als wele as thou can! Thurgh warkes of mercy may men heuen wynne, & thai that dos thaim noȝt, sal noȝt come ther-Inne.— Bot ther are seuen warkes of mercy bodely, & also other seuen warkes of mercy gastly; Thurgh trewe kepyng of any of this seuen May a trewe cristen man wel come to heuen. Sex bodely warkes has thou befor redde, The [seuent] taght Tobie when he beryd the dede. Seuen gastly warkes, that are of more mede, May thou hald in thi mynd to thin awen spede: The first is for to teche the vncunnand. The second is to counsail the doutand. The third is to confort him that is sorowful. The ferth is to chasty him that is in synne wilful. The fift is to forgif him that has ill wratthed the. The sext is to support him that irksum is to the. The seuent is to pray to god for all thes hertely, That he amend thaim of thair faute thurgh his gret mercy. ¶ Of the paynes of hell.The next passages are treated freely: most of the particulars are added. TVrne we now agayn, sum-what for to telle Of the orrible paynes that ay are in helle. Helle is a depe pit stynkand, with all myrknes: Ther the dampned ay sal be halden in gret distres. All that is in the warld of filth & of stynk, At day of dome sal doun thedir synk, ffor to eke thair stynkand payne, al be hit gret. ffor ther sal be of hell-fire wondir huge hete; That brennand fire with-outen ende so gretly hit glowes That al the watur in the warld may not sloken his lowes. Ther is als gret cold on another side: Ther sudanly for more payne in to hit sal thei glide. Thai sal noȝt haue no roume ther on be-side another, Bot all be cast on a hepe as of turf a fother; Ilkon sal stynk on other & double his payne, & ilkon ay to greue other sall be ful fayne. Ther sal be gnasting of teth for gretnes of payne, And euer in the hert a sorowe souerayne That thai haue lost for a litil lykyng of synne The ioye of the siȝt of god that al godenes is Inne; & this worme of conscience sal bit thaim euermore & ouer all paynes ay be to thaim a sore. No likyng sal thai haue, shortly for to say, Bot al thing agayn thair wil that thaim gref may. & thus sal thai be punist aylastandly, With-outen hope of mercy or any remedy. ¶ Of the ioyes of heuen. THair ioye in heuen sal wele more be Then any hert may think or any egh se, Ne non ert[h]ly mannes ere may wele here The Ioye that god has ordaynd til his awen dere. This ioye sall haue then aylastand sekirnes, ffor crist, kyng of ioye, sal then be prince of pes. Ilk mannes body of thaim that god wil saue ffour fair dowers of ioye in heuen sal haue: ¶ ffirst the body sal be [so] parfit there, That no thing in al the warld myȝt him there [dere], All the fir of hell myȝt him neuer brenne, If he neuer so lange were laide ther-Inne. ¶ The second dower of the body sal be briȝtnes That man sal haue that dede= died in gastly clennes; Ilk a body sal be there seuen-[fold]om. more briȝt Then the sunne is here when it most liȝt; & this gret briȝtnes of the body Sal euermore cleth hit fair & honestly. ¶ The third dower of the body sal be sutilnes, ffor hit sal be so clensid of all rudnes That non erthly body may lette hit to passe, More then the sunne-beme is lettid be the glas. ¶ The ferth dower of the body sal be deliuernes, ffor hit sal be clensid so wel of alkyn heuynes That sudanly, whedir as the saul has ȝernyng, Thedir sal the body glide with-outen more letting. In thes four dowers sal thi body be so parfit That of all erthly ioye of hit sal be delit. 1145-1172 added.Thre gastly parties of thi saul ioye sal fulfill: Thes are vnderstanding, a mynd, & a will. Vndirstanding that here was in trewth stedfast Of poyntes of oure faith that manes [reson past],om. Sal in clere siȝht of god al that he trowed se, & in that souerayn fair siȝt al ful of blis be. All wysdam, al godenes, all fairnes, al myȝt Sal rauysh man to the loue of god in that fair siȝt. Man sal se in god as in a myrour All that he wil or may be to his honour. Ilk man as he deserued mor or lesse here, Sal haue ther ay the siȝt of god more or lesse clere; Bot al sal be so fully payd in that siȝt That couayt clerer siȝt non sal haue no myȝt. And thus in the saul the vnderstanding Sal ay be fulfilled of ioye & likyng, And this sal be in mannes saul the first dower, After that he deserued when that he was here. His will that here loued god ouer al thing & his euen-cristen for goddes bidding, In the loue of god ther sal be so parfit That al his ȝernyng sal be ful of delit; That loue sal be ay so gret, so gode, & so faire That nothing that may befall sal hit oght empaire. His mynd that hoped to haue ioye thurgh grace & mercy & dyed stedfast in trouth with-outen synne dedly, Sal haue mekil more ioye then he euer wend, & sikirnes that hit last ay with-outen end. So sal ilk blissed saul be fulfillid of blis That hit may nothing ȝern thare that hit may mys. He has parfit blis that has al his will, & so be that he thenMS. tben nothing will ill. Ther sal nothing be that may greue, bot al liking, That sal ay last sikirly with-outen endyng. Sothly, [thes] thre dowers of the saul are the gret blis, And mannes ioye is mesurd after he has of this. This gret ioye is of gode loue & likyng & siȝt. Al other ioye toward this [is] of litil myȝt, As he that has the sunne-liȝt vpon a fair day, ffor many torches if he liȝt no better se he may; Noȝt more liȝt, bot more maners of liȝt he has, & that may be to him a maner of solace. Clere siȝt of god sal ther be mannes fode And briȝtnes of body sal be clething gode. Wark sal be thare, of god a mery louyng, That neuer with-outen end sal haue irking. If adam hade lyued to the warldes ende And al the wittes of all men god had him send, Ȝit myȝt he noȝt haue told fully The lest poynt of that ioye, verraily. Ther sal be nothing that may displese, Bot al honeste & gode that may ese. [Thre]MS. ffour maner of men sal haue a ioye special, That is callid in haly writ of ioye a coronale; Thes thre maners are: verray martires, Alle-clene uirgines, & haly techers. Ilkon sal haue ther als [mekil] ioye of othir Als he were a thousand sith his brothir; Ilkon of other ioye sal haue a liking, & that sal be [to] thaim of ioye a doubling; This doubling sal be in noumbre a gretnes, Noȝt to the ioye before euen mykilnes. After degre of loue of god that man hade here Sal his ioye be mesurd, with-outen any were. Man sal haue souerayne ioye in siȝt of godhede, And sithen a gret ioye of crist[es] manhede, That he is both god & man that boȝt him with his blode & deyned to shewe to man so hertly mekil gode; That his brother sal euer be his lord & his god, That sal be a confort to him with-outen make od. In him-self he has his ioye of al the dowers Both of body & of saul, as clerkes vs leres. Of the qwene of heuen, our lady mary, That is goddes moder & well of mercy, fflour of all uirgines & avowe to mankynd, May all that are in heuen gret confort fynd; Amang all creatures sho has wele of all weles, ffor sho is moder of the king that al ioye deles. Sithen ix. ordres of aungeles comfortes man in blis, With thair gret myrth & ioyfulnes that thai may neuer mys; Sithen al maner of men that to blis wendis, And specialy all gode men frendes EkysMS. Ek ys his ioye & confort when thai are mette, And that sall ay last with-outen any lette. Ȝit heuen & erth & all creatures Sal be to mannes ioye, whiles hit endures. All the sorow & paynes of hell ay-lastandly Sall confort him that eschaped thaim thurgh mercy. Thus sal man in heuen ay fynd ioye & leth, Aboue him, with-Inne him, aboute & beneth. Ay, sais seint austyn sothfastly, Man suld forsake resonably All the welthes of this warld euermore & ay, ffor to haue the ioye of heuen only a day. How mekil more then suld man ay forsake synne While he lyued in erth, that blis for to wynne? The godenes of god, the fairnes, the wysdam, the myȝt, The ioye, the solace, the confort that ay is In his siȝt, Passes all mannes mynd, vndirstanding & wit, Bot if he may come to blis fully & clerly se hit. Ther-for he that all creatures first made of noȝt And with his awne hert-blode al mankynd boȝt, Thurgh his grace & mercy graunt vs that ioye to se, How thre persones are all on god in trinite. Amen.Here endes the myrour of lewed men.A Munk made this myrour, only for lewed mennes sake. Thou that will se saule-hele, this thi myrour thou take! [XXXIX. Of þre messagers of deeth.So the title in Index. The poem was ed. before in Herrig's Archiv LXXIX, p. 432. It is an old imitation of the "Sayings of S. Bernhard," XLV.] Her biginneþ a tretis Of þreo Messagers of deþ, I-wis. ÞE Mon þat is of wommon I-bore, His lyf nis heere but a þrowe— So seiþ Iob vs heer-bi-fore Al in a Bok þat I wel knowe. He hedde is Muynde al of his deþ, Wel sore he con grone and grunte, And seide his lyf nas bote a Breþ, Heer mou we none stounde stunte. ffrom deþ may no mon be fre, ffor his riȝte wol he not lete. Now beoþ þer Messagers þre A-Mong Monkuynde for to meete: Auentures, Seeknesse, and Elde— Þeos beoþ Messagers of deþ; To hem we moten vs alle ȝelde And louten þer vr Maystres geþ. Whon Deth comeþ þat is so derk, Þer May no Mon him wiþ-stonde; I take witnesse on a noble Clerk Þat wrot þeos vers wiþ his honde: Mors necat athletas,MS. vetat ath letas Ego mortis nescio metas, I[n]terMS. Iter Res letas, Caueat sibi quelibet etas— "Deþ, he sleth þis kempes kene, And kynges in heore worþly won, Riche & pore alle bi-dene, Ȝong ne Old spareþ he non." Þer is on of þis Messagers Þat of no mon wol take mede; He is so hardi and so fers Þat alle Men of him haue drede: ÞEr. Þis Messager hette Auentours; Aȝeynes him may beo no strif; Whon he comeþ to a Monnes hous, He takeþ boþe hosebonde & þe wyf. He takeþ þe child In his Cradel, Þeih he beo bot o niht old; Þe kniht and horse in his sadel I-a[r]med, beo he neuer so bold. Of him beo vche Mon I-war And mak him clene, ar he beo hent; ffor þer nis no ȝeyn-char, Whon Auentures comeþ to turnement. Mony mon lihþ in dedly synne And weneþ þat he beo not veyȝe, And Auentures comeþ wiþ his ginne And hontuþ til he haue his preye. In dedly sunne hoMS. he is I-founde Wiþ-outen schrift and repentaunce, He geþ in to helle-grounde, Þer to suffre his penaunce. Seint Poul bit we schulden awake— Þis Clerkes witen as wel as I— Þat we schulden vs clene make And of vr sinnes ben sori; And bote we ben, we schulen abugge; Þer schal no pledur plede þat; Þer God vs fynt, he wol vs Iugge— Nou vche Mon be war bi þat. ffor Auentures wol come as a þef Be nihte, whon men ben aslepe, And taken awey þat him is leef— Nou awakeþ, þat ȝe mowe him kepe. ANoþer Messager þer is Of Deþ, whon crist wol him sende: Seknesse, Ichaue I-herd ar þis, Þe Messager is swiþe hende. Whon seeknesse comeþ to a mon, He may be war ȝif he is sleih, And greiþen his In, ȝif þat he con, And þenken þat deþ is swiþe neih. ffor seknesse comeþ apertely, He ne dareþ not in his den; Hit is vre lordes Cortesy Wiþ seknesse for to warne men. Mony Men, whon þat heo beoþ seke, To Ihesu Crist a clepen and criȝe And to his Mylde Mooder eke And sigge: "now þou help, Marie! Ȝif þat we mowe be sound and saue And keuere, þat we mowen habben vr hele, Al þe good þat we haue ffor Godes loue we wolen hit dele." We loue wel God in al vr þouȝt While we beo seeke & sore smerte; Whon we beoþ hol, we louen him nouȝt, He nis no lengor in vre herte— Cum fero langorem, ffero Religionis amorem; Expers langoris Non sum memor huius amoris. Of crist ne takeþ he non hede, He naþ no more wiþ him to donne; To þonken him for his goode dede, He þenkeþ no more þer-vpponne. Suche men ben ofte al-one I-let To pleye as þe foul in þe lift, Til Auentures haue wiþ hem met, Be-Reueþ hem boþe hosel and schrift. Men ouȝten holden vp boþe heore honden To God, while heo ben hol and feere, To sende, whon he wol hem fonden, Seeknesse to ben heore Messagere. Seynt poul seiþ, vre lordes kniht, In a pistel þat he wrot, Þat he was strengest & most of miht Whon god him wiþ seknesse smot. NOw ichulle siggen ou of Elde, Of Messagers he is þe þridde. Whon Monnes hed biginneþ to elde, He may not do but beodes bidde. And he leoneþ vppon his Crucche, Whon deþ him bekneþ, comen he mot; Hit helpeþ nouȝt þauh he grucche, He schal wiþ-stonde neuer a fot. Also fareþ Elde as doþ a sweyn Þat stondeþ at his lordes ȝate And mot not wenden in aȝeyn, ffor þe po[r]ter þat is þer-ate; ffor no ȝiftes þat he may ȝiuen, Ne feire wordes þat he mai speken; He worþ out atte ȝate I-driuen, Anon þe ȝate for him is steken. Ȝif a Mon may libben heer And ben of pouwer for to go Þe Elde of ffoure-score ȝer, Þat oþer del is serwe and wo. ffor hose wole his lyf be-holde ffrom biginnynge to þe ende, Wel ofte may his herte colde Þat not what wey he schal wende; Wel we witen we schule be ded, Vr dwellyng her nis bote a while— Ihesu crist vs wisse and rede, Þat neuer þe ffend ne do vs gyle.— Nou is deþ a wonder þing And grislich for to þenken on; He ne spareþ Emperour ne kyng, Ne Pope for al þe good þat he con. Wher ben heo þat biforen vs weoren, Þat weore so mihti in heore deden, Houndes ladden and haukes beerenSame v. in Sayings of St. Bernhard, v. 182, An hontyng heiȝe vppon heore steeden? Deþ hit haþ hem al by-raft, Wiþ hem þer nis no more pley. And al þat bereþ monnes schaft, Schal go þat ilke selue wey. Vche Mon may be sore aferd Þat haþ a soule for to saue, Whon he geþ bi a Chirche-ȝerd And seoþ wher dede men beþ I-graue. Riche men habbeþ riche stones, Þat alle men mouwe biholde: Þer-vnder liggeþ foule bones, I-beddet al in Cloþ of colde. Wel pore halle þer is I-maked, Wiþ-outen eny worldes winne; Saue a Clout, men beoþ al naked, Whon deþ is comen I-cast þer-Inne. Þe halle-Roof is cast ful lowe, Þer beoþ none Chaumbres wyde; Me may reche þe helewowe And þe wal on vche a syde. Heore bodiesr. bodie þat weoren so softe I-baþenstrong form, analog. to laden And I-brouȝt forþ wiþ Mete and drynk, Þer hit schal crepe ful of Maþen— In al þis world nis foulore stynk. A Mon þat such a bodi seȝe Whon wormes hit haþ þorw-souht, He ouȝte wepe wiþ his eȝe And euere haue him in his þouht. Þer nis non so luyte ne so muche Þat is of fflesch, blod and bon, Þat we ne schule ben alle suche, Whon we ben huled vnder a ston. Hou may eny mon be proud ffor eny þing þat he may gete, Whon he is huled vnder a schroud, Þat þing þat is wormes mete? Þat þing þat is vr moste fo, Þerfore we don a gret folye To loue þat þing þat doþ vs wo, And eke vr dedliche enemye. Ȝif a Mon may libben heer As longe as dude Matussale— Niȝene hundred & nyne & sixti ȝer So longe on eorþe liuede he— Þat nis not also muche tyme Aȝeynes þe tyme þat comeþ afterward As fro þe sonne-rysing to prime— To sunfol men þat is ful hard. Þat I schal seye nou takeþ kepe, I drawe to witnesse seynt Austyn: Þat a Mon schal more wepe Þat dampned is to helle-pyn, Þen is water vnder þe sonne, And he wepe vche day a ter. Auiseþ ow now, ȝif þat ȝe cunne, And doþ þat ȝe ne come not þer! A Mon þat dampned is to helle, His peyne may not ben for-bouȝt, Ac endeles he schal þer dwelle; Almes-dede helpeþ him nouht. Þei alle men þat libbeþ nouþe Weore prestes Masses to synge, And duden al þat þei euer couþe, Ne scholden him of pyne bringe. Þat ilke soule þat is dryuen Wiþ fendes in atte helle-ȝate, And his Iuggement be him ȝiuen, To bidde Merci hit is to late. Heuene hit is vre heritage, To vre bihoue hit is diht, [Ȝif]om. we han do feute and homage To vre lord, as hit is riht. Synful mon, ȝif þat he falleþ, A-Rys vp and mak þi pees, And cum to crist, whon þat he calleþ To Ioye þat is endeles. He þat is al-mihti kyng, Þat heiȝe sitteþ In Trinite, Graunt vs alle his blessyng, AMEN AMEN par charite. [XL. Two Songs of Love-longing.]Title in Index: An orisoun to crist, Songes to vre lady, Orisones to vre lady rehersinge of crist what he dude and suffrede for mankynde. The two first poems (from v. 5) are extant in MS. Harl. 2253, fol. 75 and 77 (ed. in Wright, Specimens of Lyric Poets, Percy Soc. 1842, p. 57 and 68, and Böd|deker, Altengl. Dicht. 1878, p. 191 and 198); the 2nd, an imitation of St. Bernard's 'Jesu dulcis memoria' (Daniel Thes. hymn. I, p. 227), has, in MS. Vern., been divided into several parts, each headed by a stanza to St. Mary (MS. Harl. 2253 has a separate French song to St. Mary, f. 77: Marie mere al Salveour, ed. Wright), and expanded, by various additions (v. 17-44, 57|80, 141-191 &c.) and ingredients (f. i. from Testam. Christi, v. 173 ff.) into a history of the Passion, forming at the same time a corollary to St. Mary. The original poems were composed in the South, the additions in the North (by Rich. Rolle?). Another love-song of this kind, in alliterative long-lines, is contained in the prose-part of MS. Vernon. [I.] Swete Ihesu, now wol I synge To þe a song of loue longinge: Do in myn herte a welle springe Þe to louen ouer alle þinge. v. 5-60 occurs as a separate poem in Harl. 2253 (ed. Wright).Swete Ihesu, kyng of blisse, Min herte loue, Min herte lisse: In loue, lord, þou me wisse, And let me neuere þi loue misse.7-8 H Þou art suete myd-y-wisse Wo is him þat þe shal misse. Swete Ihesu, myn herte liht, Þow art day wiþ-oute niht: Ȝiue me boþe Grace andH Þou ȝeve me streinþe & eke m. miht ffor to loueH louien þe ariht. Swete Ihesu, my souleH huerte bote, In myn herte þou setteH sete a Roote Of þi loue þat is so swote, And weete hitH Ant lene þat hit springe mote! Swete Ihesu, myn herte gleem, Brihtore þen þe sonne Beem: As þou weore borenH Ybore þou were In Bethleem, Þou make in me þi loue-dreem.H Þou m. me here þi suete d. Swete Ihesu, þi loue is swete— Wo is him þat hitH þe schal leete! Ȝif me grace for to wepe ffor my synnes teres wete.23-4 H Þarefore me shulden ofte þe grete Wiþ salte teres & eȝe wepe. Swete Ihesu, kyng of londe, Mak þou me to vnderstonde,H Þou make me fer v. Þat I may In myn herte fondeH Þat min herte mote f. Hou swete isH bueþ þi loue-bonde. Swete Ihesu, me reweþ sore Of my misdedes I haue don ȝore: ffor-ȝif me, lord, I wol no more, But I þe aske Milce and ore. Swete Ihesu, LordH louerd myn, Mi lyf, my soule is alH myn huerte al is þin: Vndo myn herte and liȝteH liht þerin, And saueH wite me from wikkedH fendes engyn. In H precede 45-8, then follows: Suete ihesu, me reoweþ sore, Gultes þat y ha wroþt ȝore, Þarefore y bidde þin mylse & ore, Merci, lord, ynul na more.Swete Ihesu, lord good, ffor me þou scheddest þi blessed blodH Þou me bohtest wiþ þi blod— Out of þin herte hit comH orn; hit, om. in H. þe flod— Þi Moder hit sauȝ wiþ druyri modH seh þat þe by stod: Swete Ihesu, Briht and Schene, Heere me, lord, for I me mene,H Y preye þe þou here my bene Þorw preyere of Marie, Milde qweene,Þourh erndyng of þe heuene-q. Þat þi loue on me be sene.H Þat my bone be nou sene. Swete Ihesu, Mi soule foode, Alle werkes of þe ben goode;H Þin werkes bueþ bo suete & gode Þou bouȝtest me vppon þe Rode And scheddest þeron þi swete blode.H For me þou sheddest þi blode Swete Ihesu, BarnH berne Best, Þi loue þou in myn herte fest;H Wiþ [þe] ich hope habbe rest Whon I go North, Souþ, Est or West,H Wheþer y be souþ oþer west In þe al-one fynde I rest.Þe help of þe be me nest Swete Ihesu, wel may him be Þat þe schalH may in þiom. in H blisse se! Wiþ loue-cordes drauȝ þou me, Þat I may comen and wone wiþ þe.55-6 H: After mi soule let aungles te, For me ne gladieþ gome ne gle. Swete Ihesu, heuene-kyng, ffeir and best ouerH of alle þing: Bring me in to þat loue-longyngH Þou bring me of þis longing ToH & come to þe at myn endyng.H adds: Suete ihesu, al folkes reed, Graunte ous er we buen ded, Þe vnderfonge in fourme of bred, Ant seþþe to heouene þou vs led. [II.] MArie Moder, Mylde Qween, Send vs grace synne to flen, Þat we mowe þi sone i-sen And euere wiþ hym in Blisse ben. This is a 2nd poem in Harl. 2253, fol. 77b, with the title: 'Dulcis ihesu memoria.'Ihesu, swete is þe loue of þe; Ne may no þing so swete be,H Noþing so suete may be Nouȝt þat mon may þenke or se,H Al þat [me] may wiþ eȝen se Ne haueH Haueþ no swetnesse aȝeynes þe. Ihesu, no songH noþing mai be swettore,H suettere Ne þouȝtH noht in herteeorþe Blisfollere, Nouȝt may be feeled lihtsomereH lykerusere Þen þou, so swete a louyereH alumere! Ihesu, þi loue was vsH wes ous so fre Þat hitH we from heuene brouȝteH brohten þe, ffor loue ful deore bouȝtest þouH Þou deore bohtest me, ffor loue þow hengeH hong onMS. or Roode-tre. The next 7 stanzas om. in H.Ihesu, to þi disciples dere Þou seydest wiþ ful dreri chere As þei seeten alle I-feere A luytel ar þou taken were— Ihesu, þou seydest þat þou wore fful of serwe and herte-sore, And beed hem dwellen a while þore While þou beo-souȝtest þi ffader ore; Ihesu, þou eodest on þi feete To þe Mount of Olyuete, And to þi ffader, er þou leete, Þow madest a boone wiþ herte swete: To him þou seidest: "ȝif hit may be, Deore ffader, I preye þe, Þis peyne passe a-wey from me; As þow wolt so moot hit be!" Ihesu, þou tornedest to hem þan: And founde hem slepen vch a man; Þow beede hem waken, &, er þou blan, A-non aȝeyn þe wey þou nam. Ihesu, þus eft þe selue boone Þat þou beo-fore bi-gonne to done, And eke þe þridde tyme sone Þow madest, wiþ a Milde mone. Ihesu, wiþ þat þou preye gon, Þe swot of blood from þe ron. ffrom heuene an Angel lihte þon And þe cumfortede, God and Mon. This st. is om. in H.MArie Mylde, freo and gent, Preye for me—þou art present— Whon my soule is from me went, Þat hit haue good Iuggement. Ihesu, for loue þou soffredestH þoledest wrong, Woundes sore and peynesH pine strong; Þi peynes reuþful weore and long,H Þine peynes rykene hit were long Ne may me hit telle in spelH Ne may hem tellen spel ne song. Ihesu, for loue þou suffredest soH dreȝedest; so, om. in H. wo Þatom. in H. bloodi stremes Ronne þe fro; Þi white bodi was bleykH Þat þi bodi wes blak and blo— Vre sunnes hit made, weylawoH For oure s. hit wes so! The next 6 stanzas om. in H.Ihesu, þi Coroune sat þe sore, Þe scourgyng whon þow scourget wore; Hit was for me—Ihesu, þin ore!— Þe peynes þat þow þoledest þore. Ihesu swete, þow heng on tre Not for þi gult, but al for me, ffor sunnes and gult aȝeynes þe— Swete Ihesu, for-ȝif hem me. Ihesu, whon þow streyned wore, Þi peynes woxen more and more. Þi Mooder euer wiþ þe was þore, Wiþ serweful sikynges and wiþ sore. Ihesu, whi weore þou pyned so Þat neuer wrouȝtest wrong ne wo? Hit was for me, and moni mo, Þat þou so harde were bi-go. Ihesu, what sauh þow on me Of ouȝt þat neodful was to þe, Þat þou so harde on Roode-tre ffor me woldest pyned be? Ihesu, whi weore þou so gelous, So feruent and so disirrous To buggen wiþ pris so precious Wrecche Mon so vicious? Ihesu, for vs þou hengeH for loue þou stehe on Rode, ffor loue þou ȝeeueH seȝe þin herte-blode; Loue þe madeH þou madest vre soule foode, Þi loue vs brouhte to alle goode. Ihesu my lemmon, þou art so fre, Þat alom. in H þou dedestH deȝ|edest for loue of me: WhatH Whet schal I for þatH þarefore ȝeelde þe? Þow kepest not but þe loue of me.H Þar nys noht bote hit loue be, Ihesu my god, my lord,H ihesu my kyng, Þou askestH ne askesd me non oþer þyng But trewe loue and herte longyngH & eke seruyng And loue-teres and stilleH wiþ suete mournyng. Ihesu my deore, my loue, my liht,H I. my lyf, ihesu I wol þe louen,H Ich loue þe and þat is riht. Do me þe louenH loue þe wiþ al my miht, And afterH for þe MourneH mournen dai & niht! Ihesu, do me so loueH seruen þe Þat my þouht ay onH Þat euer mi þoht vpon þe be; Wiþ þin eȝen lok on me,H Wiþ þine suete eȝen loke towart me And Myldeliche my nede se!H Ant myldeliche myne, y preie, al þat þou se This stanza om. in H.MArie ladi, Mooder briht,— Þou darst, þou wolt, þou art of miht,— Myn herte loue, my lyf, my liht, Þou prey for me boþe day & niht. Ihesu, þi loue isH be al my þouht, Of oþer þing ne recche I nouht, But þat I haue a-ȝeyn þe wrouhtH Y ȝyrne to haue þi wille ywroht For þou me hauest wel d. yb. And þou hast me so deore a-bouht. Ihesu, al-om. in H.þauȝ I synful be, fful longe hastou sparedH Wel longe þou hauest y-sp. me; Þe more owe I to loueH oh ich to louie þe Þat þou wiþom. in H. me hastH hauest ben so fre. The next 6 lines om. in H.Ihesu, forsoþe now nis no þing In al þis world of such lykyng, Þat con so muche of loue-longyng, As þou Ihesu, my deore swetyng. Ihesu, wel ouȝt I loue þe, ffor þou me schewest þi Rode-tre, Þi CorouneH bac of þornes, andH þy nayles þre, Þe scharpe spere þat þorw-stong þe. Ihesu, of loue I seo tokenyng:H of l. soth tocknynge Þin Armes spradde to loue-cluppyng,H spredeþ to mankynde Þin hed bouwedeH heued doun boweþ to swete cussyng, Þi syde al opene to loue-schewyng.H openeþ to loue-longynge Ihesu, whon IH when ich þenke on þe And loke vppon þe Roode-tre, Þi swete bodi bi-bledH to-toren I se: Lord, do þat siht to wounde me!H Hit makeþ heorte to smerte me. Ihesu, þi ModerH þe quene þat bi þe stood, Of loue-teres heo wepteH weop a flood; ÞyH Þin woundes and þyn holy blood Heo maden hire haue aH Made hire huerte of dreri mood. Ihesu, loue þe dude to wepen,H I. suete l. þe d. gredyn Loue þe dudeH made þiom. in H. blod to sweten, ffor loue þou were sore beten,H y-b. Loue þe dude þi lyf to leten. The whole next section, lines 137-192, is left out in H.MArie, I prei þe, as þou art fre, Of þi serwe parte wiþ me, Þat I mowe serwe here wiþ þe And partiner of þi blisse be. Ihesu, þi loue þou tauhtest me Wiþ swete wordes of herte fre Þat þou speek on Roode-tre— So ful of loue ne mihte non be. Ihesu, þe furste word was, as I rede, Þat þou þi deore ffader beede Þat he forȝaf hem heore misdede, Alle þat duden þe to dede. Ihesu, þat oþer was I-wis Þat þou seidest, as writen is: Þat þe þeef schulde haue blis Wiþ þe þat day in paradis. Ihesu, þe þridde was of Mon: Whon þi Mooder þe schulde forgon, A Sone þou hire be-tauhtest on, And seidest: "wommon, tak heer Ion!" Ihesu, as þou weore pyned more, Þe ffeorþe word þou seydest þore: "A," seydest þow, "me þursteþ sore"— Hit was for hem þat dampned wore. Ihesu, þe ffyfþe word Reweþ me Þat þow seidest on Roode-tre: "Mi God, Mi God, hou may þis be Þat þou hast al forsake me?" Ihesu, þe Sixte word hit was Whon þou seidest "In manus tuas," Be-tauhtest þi ffader in þat plas Þi soule, as his wille was. Ihesu, In al þi peyne mest Neuere was so meke best— Þou seydest "Consummatum est," Þyn hed fel doun, þou ȝelde þe gost.r. gest Ihesu, þou seidest; "alle ȝe Þat passen be þe wey bi me, A while a-bydeþ, comeþ and se Ȝif eny serwe is lyk to me."cf. Testamentum Christi, vv. 93-6. Ihesu, þou seidest: "tel þow me, Mi deore folk, what hit may be, What haue I gult aȝeynes þe Þat þou so bitter art to me?" Ihesu, þou seydest þenne more: "Mi deore folk, ȝe tel me ȝore, Haue I wiþ myn holi lore And gode dedes I-hurt so sore?" Ihesu, þou seidest after ȝet: "Mi deore wynȝard, ne haue I þe set, Mi ffader blisse þe bi-het, Wiþ al my-self—what woldest þou bet?" Ihesu, þou seidest: "hou is þis, Mi Swete, what haue I do mis Þat þou wiþ-outen eny lis Me ȝeldest schome aȝeyn Mi blis?" This st. om. in H.MArie, þat slakest alle wo, Helle-peynes schild me fro, And ȝif me grace her do so Þat I from henne to heuene go. Ihesu, ffyue wellesH woundes I fynde in þe, Þat loue spring to drawe meH Þy loue-sprenges tacheþ me; Of Rede blodH Of blod & water þe stremes be, Mi soule of synnes wasschen heo.H Vs to whosshe from oure fon þre. Ihesu, my soule drauȝH saule drah þe to, And mak myn herteH Min heorte opene & wyde vndo; Ȝif hit þi loueH Þis hure of l. to drynke so, Þat flessches lustes benH fleyssliche lust be al fordo! The next 2 stanzas om. in H.Ihesu, Muchel Ich owe þe: Who schal hit al ȝelde þe? Me bi-houeþ þi-self hit be, As þou pyne suffredest for me. Ihesu, þi loue ȝef me follyke, In myn herte þat hit stike, Mi soule hit þurle Inwardliche, Þat hit be þyn enteerliche. Ihesu,H Ihesu crist do me loue þe so Þat, wher I beo or whatH & what-so I do, Þat I for weole ne for woH Lyf ne deþ, weole ne wo Ne letH do myn herte torne þeH þe turne fro. The next 3 stanzas om. in H. (Similar vv. occur in Rich. Rolle's 'Fourme of parfit liuing.')Ihesu lord, Mi swetyng, Hold me euere in þy kepyng, Mak of me þi derlyng, Þat I þe loue ouer alle þing. Ihesu, my weole and al my wynne, Al my Ioye is þe wiþ-Inne: Now and euere kep me from synne, To do þi wille let me not blynne! Ihesu, mihtful Heuene-kyng, Þi loue beo al my lykyng, Mi mournyng and my longyng, Wiþ swete teres wepyng. Ihesu, ȝif meH do me þat for þi name Pacience In peyneH Me likeþ to dreȝe pyne and schame, Þat to my soule isH Þat is þy s. note and frame; And mak myn herte Mylde & tame. Ihesu, Al þat is feir to se,MS. þe, H se Þat to þe fflessches lykyng may be,H Al þat to fleyhs mai likyng be Al worldes blisse do me fleH b. to leten, me And al my tent ȝiueGraunte, for þe loue of þe. to þe. In H this stanza precedes the last 2 stanzas.MArie, Swete MaydenH mayde fre, ffor Ihesu [crist] be-seche I þe: Þi swete sone do loueH louie me, And mak me worþi þat hitH y so be. Ihesu, in þe beo al my þouȝt— Of oþer þyngH blisse ne recche IH recchy nouȝt; Whon I of þe may felen ouȝt, Þen is my soule wel of þouȝt.H wel y-wroht Ihesu, ȝif þou for-leteH forletest me, What may me lykenH mi likyng of þat I se? Blisse may nonH Mai no god blisse wiþ me be, Til þatH O þat þou come aȝeyn to me. Ihesu, þat me hast deore abouht,249-252 H Ihesu, ȝef þou bist ȝeorne by|soht: When þou comest, ant elles noht, No fleishlich lust ne wicked þoht In to myn heorte ne be y-broht. Al þat to synne draweþ ouht Holliche puyt out of my þouȝt, So þat I ne wraþþe þe nouȝt. Ihesu, my soule is weddetH spoused to þe— Wiþ rihte hit ouhte þin owne to beH Ofte ych habbe misdon aȝeynes þe;, Þauȝ I haue synget aȝeynes þe,H Ihesu, þi merci is wel fre; Ihesu, merci y crie to þe. Þi Merci is euere redi to me. Ihesu þi Merci, bi-leueH I., wiþ herte þi loue I craue— Me bihoueþ þatH Hit bihoueþ nede I hit haue; Þe deuh of grace vppon me laue, And worþi me make þi loue to haue.H Ant from alle harmes þou me saue Ihesu, þou be al my ȝernyng,H I., from me be al þat þyng Þat me (r. þe) may be to mislik|yng; Al þat is nede þou me bryng; To haue þi loue is my ȝyrnyng. In þe be, lord, al my lykyng, Mi þouȝt, my dede, and my Mournyng To haue þe Euere in loue-longyng. Ihesu, my leof,H lif Mylde of mood,H of milde Mi soule haþ neodeH gret n. of þi good: Mak hit cleneH Tak hire treufole and þolemood, And ful hitH hire of þi loue-flod.H blod Ihesu, my soule preyeþH bidde y þe, Let hit nouȝt vncloþed beH Eueremore wel vs be; Lines 271-284 om. in H.Cloþe hit wiþ þi loue fre, Wiþ goode werkes þat lyken þe. Ihesu, Beute ne aske I þe nouȝt, Ne proude cloþes nobli wrouȝt, Londes ne Rentes, deore bouȝt, But hertly loue and clene þouȝt. Ihesu, whonne so hit lykeþ þe, Loue-sparkes send þou me; Mak myn herte al hot to be, Brennynde in þe loue of þe. MArie, þi sone preye hertely ffor me, wrecche vnworþy, Þat he wole enterly Graunte me his Merci. Ihesu almihti,H al myhtful heuene-kyng, Þi loue is a fulH wel derne þing; May no mon hit witen þorw knowyng, But he hit feele þorw herte þenkyng.287-8 om. in H. The next 2 st. om. in H.Ihesu, ȝif me þat I may see Þe Muchele good þou hast do me. And I vnkynde aȝeyn haue be, ffor-ȝif me, lord, þat art so fre. Ihesu, þi loue and fleschly þouȝt Wonen to-gedre ne mouwe þ[e]i nouȝt, As Hony & galle to-gedre brouȝt; Swete and Bitter a-cordeþ nouȝt. H Ihesu, wel mai myn herte se Þat milde & meoke he mot be, Alle vnþewes & lustes fle, Þat felen wole þe blisse of þe.Ihesu, wiþ herte I þonke þe. Þouȝ I wrecche and sunfol be, In trewe hope I preye þe, Þi Blisse & Merci graunte þou me. Ihesu, þauh I be vnworþi To loue þe, lord Almihti, Þi godnesseH loue me makeþH m. to ben hardi Mi soule to donH Ant don me al in þi Merci. Ihesu, þi Merci cumforteþH þi mildenesse froreþ me: ffor no mon may so synful be, Þat synne wol leueH ȝef he let sunne and to þe fle, Þat Merci ful redi fyndeþ he.H Þat ne find socour at þe. Ihesu, for synful, as writen is,H For sunful folk, suete ihesus Þou lihtest from þin heiȝe blisH þe h. hous H Pore & loȝe þou were for ous, Þin heorte loue þou sendest ous.In to Marie wombe, I-wis, To ȝiuen vs alle reste and lis. The next st. om. in H.Ihesu, þauȝ I synful be, I haue euere trust hope in þe; Þerfore, lord, I preye þe Þat of my synnes amende þou me. In H this st. follows v. 384.Ihesu, þou art so good a mon, Þi loue desyre I asH y ȝyrne al-so I con; Me to lette suffre þing non,H Þare-fore ne lette me nomon Þah ich for loue be blac ant won. Swete Ihesu, my deore lemmon. Ihesu, euereH forþi beo-seche I þe, Þin InwardH Þi suete loue þou graunte me; Þouȝ I þerto vnworþiÞat ich þare-to worþi be, Þouom. in H. mak me worþi, þat art so fre. This st. om. in H.MArie Milde, ful of pite, Prey þi deore Sone for me Þat he graunte me to be Euere in blisse wiþ him and þe. Ihesu al swete, þat artH ihesu al good, Do þi loue drynkeH Þi loue drynkeþ myn herte-blod. Þi loue me makeþ so sweteH swiþe-wod Þat wonder blisful is my mood.H Þat y ne drede for no flod. H Ihesu, do me to seruen þe, Wher in londe so y be; When ich þe fynde, wel is me, ȝef þou ne woldest awey fle.Ihesu, do me do þi wille, Nou and euere, loud and stille; Wiþ þi loue my soule fulfille And soffre neuere þat I do ille. In H this st. precedes v. 393.Ihesu, þi loue is swete and strong, Mi lyf is al þer-onH on þe I-long: Tech me, lord,H ihesu þi loue-song, Wiþ swete teres euer a-mong. Ihesu, ȝif þou be from me go, Min herteH soule is ful of serwe & wo; What may I seyH sugge but weylawo, Whon þou, my swete, art went me froH When mi lif is me at-go.? Ihesu þin ore, þou rewe onH of me! Whon schal my souleH For whenne shal ich come to þe? 347-8, 351-2 om. in H.Hou longe schal hit here be, Þer I ne may þe, my lemmon, se? Ihesu, þi lore techeþH biddeþ me Wiþ al myn herte to loueH louie, to om. þe: Þorw þi miht mak hit so be, Þat þerto, lord, constreyne me. Ihesu my lef, my lord,H lif, ihesu my kyng, To þe my soule haþ gret longyng,H My s. haueþ to þe ȝyrnyng. Þou hast hit weddet wiþ þi Ryng:H When þi wille is, to þe hire bryng, Þou art suetest of alle þyng. Whon þi wille is, to þe hit bring. Ihesu, þat deore bouȝtest me, Mak me worþi toom. in H. come to þe; Alle my sunnes forȝif þou me, Þat I may comen & wone wiþ þe.H Þat ich wiþ blisse þe mowe se. Ihesu alH so feir, my lemmonH ihesu so briht, I þeH Þat i be-seche wiþ al my miht: Bring my soule in to þiH þe liht, Þer is day and neuerH day wiþ-oute niht. Ihesu, þin help at myn endyng, Tac my soule at my diȝyng,H Ant ine þat dredful out wendyng. Seende hit socour & cumfortyng,H Send my soule god weryyng Þat hitH y ne drede no wikkednon eouel þing. Ihesu, ffor þi Merci freH I., þi grace, þat is so fre! In siker hope do þou me ToH At scapen peyne & come to þe And euere in blisse wiþ þe be.H To þe blisse þat ay shal be. Ihesu, Ihesu, BlessedH ful wel ben heoH he Þat in þi blisse mowe þe seH mowen be And haue follicheH fulliche habbe þe loue of þe: Swete Ihesu, þou graunte hit me. Ihesu, þi BlisseH loue haþ non endynge;H endyng Þer nis no serwe ne no wepynge, But pees & Ioye wiþ gret lykynge:H Bote ioie & blisse ant lykyng Swete Ihesu, þerto vs bringe. Amen. — — Last stanza om. in H.Hose ofte seiþ þis wiþ good wille, Schal fynde grace his loue to fille; Holygost his herte schal tille, ffrom synne him bringe & ffendes ille. XLI. A luytel tretys of Love. Of godes passyon.Title in Index om. Ihesu Crist, þat is so fre, To Monnes soule spekeþ he: "Ichaue," he seiþ, "I-weddet þe, And in myn honden I-writen þe. "Al þat in þis world is ouȝt, ffor þi loue I-chaue hit wrouȝt; And siþen after so deore þe bouȝt Þat of my lyf ne rouȝte I nouȝt. "What miht I more don þen þis: Þen comen out of my ffader blis And suffrenMS. suffred mony a schome, I-wis, ffor to bringe þe to blis? "Þritti wynter on eorþe I ȝode, In pyne & penaunce, for þi gode; Atte laste I dyȝede on Roode And ȝaf for þe myn herte-blode. "Al my bodi was riuen and rent, Mi face was al bi-spit and schent, To saue þe, Mon, þer þou were dempt— ffor al þat was myn entent. "ffrom myn herte þorw my syde Blod and water gon þorw glyde And clanse þe of fulþe and pride— So wolde non don In world so wyde! "In al þis world nis no mon So muche loueþ his lemmon, Þat wolde suffre pyne on Þat I for þe þolede mony on! "Myn herte forsoþe clef in-two ffor muche pyne and muche wo— Al for þe I þolede so, Þat þou ne scholdest to helle go. "Mi soule, þat was wiþ-outen synne, Ede for þe to helle-pynne And leesede þe out, þat was þer-inne In serwe & care þat neuer schulde blinne. "Whon I was sprad on þe Rode-tre, Muche was þe loue Ich hedde to þe, Elles hed ich I-leten al be; Bote loue wolde not suffre me. "ffor loue me brouȝte out of my rest, ffor loue I restede In Marie brest; ffor loue I þolede pynes werst, ffor loue made myn herte berst. "Whon Ich heyng vppon þe Roode, ffor loue I schedde al my blode— Þenk þeron, synful, In þi mode, Lef þi sunne and do sum goode! "Loue madeMS. makeþ me al forȝete Harde pynes and duntes grete, Whon I was for þi loue I-bete And as a þef bounden lad in þe strete. "Loue made me bere þe Rode-tre On my bare scholde[r] for þe. Þe blod doun stremede bi bac & þe, Whon I dude hongen vppon þe Rode-tre. "Mon, Mon, for þe loue of þe Mi peynes dude queme me, Þat for delyt hit þouȝte me. Do nou kuyndeliche & quit hit me! "More for þe I-chaue don ȝete: I-chaue I-mad me þi mete And ȝiue þe my-self at ete, ffrom helle-pyne þe to gete. "Loke what wolt þou ȝelde me ffor al þat Ichaue don for þe! Non oþer þing kep I of þe But onliche þat þou loue me. "Cum to me and haue my blis, And I þe wole cluppe and cus. Ich ȝiue þe al my-self, I-wis, To do wiþ what þi wille is. "Ȝif þou hast ben fouled wiþ synne, Torn aȝeyn to me and blynne: And I þe ȝiue heuene-wynne— So loþ me is þat we a-twynne." Now and nomeliche at myn endyng, Swete Ihesu, heuene-kyng, In þi wille ȝif me lykyng, Wiþ studefast hope & hol louyng. Ihesu, þat art of gode forȝelde, fforȝite me nouȝt in myn elde; Ȝif me studefast hope and belde To haue þe, lord, euer in my welde. Swete Ihesu, Lyon strong, Þow þat neuere louedest wrong, Chastise me wiþ myn owne wande And let me neuere to helle gande.for gange Swete Ihesu, loþles lombe, Þat swettor is þen hony-Combe, And was boren of Marie wombe: Þou bring vs to heuene on þi riȝt honde. Swete Ihesu, þe feireste wiht, As þou art Rihtwysnesse and riht, Ȝiue vs for þin holy miht Alle comen to heuene briht. Amen. [XLII. Of Clene Maydenhod.]Title in Index: Þat crist is called lemman to a clene soule. This poem was edited before by Furnivall, The Sta|cions of Rome, E. E. T. S. 1867. Of clene Maydenhod, To be weddet clanly to god. (1) Off a trewe loue clene & derne I-chaue I-write þe a Ron, How þou maiȝt, ȝif þow wolt, lerne[line repeated in MS.] ffor to loue þi lemmon, Þat trewest is of alle berne And most of loue chacche con. Beo war, for he is sumdel steorne, His eȝe is euere þe vppon. (2) Þou art wrouht of such a kynde: Wiþ-outen loue maiȝt þou not be; And neuermore schalt þou fynde Þat is so swete and feir as he. Ȝif þou miht hym to þe bynde Wiþ trewe loue-bondes þre, Wiþ al þin herte, wille, & mynde, ffrom þe wol he neuer fle. (3) Heddest þou founden such a feereon erasure. Þat weore so feir as Absolon, And þer-to so strong to tere As in his tyme was Sampson, So Riche þer-to þat he were And so wys as Salomon; I-wis, to him riht nouȝt hit werer. nere Þat þou hast chosen to þi lemmon. (4) ffor monnes loue, ȝif þou beo-holde, Hit lasteþ but a luytel res, And wiþ gyle is al bi-folde, Hit is ffikel, ffals and les; Whon þou wenest hit best to holde, Hit wendeþ a-wey as wyndes bles, And bi-comeþ wrest and colde— ffor trewe loue hit neuer nes. (5) Loue þat wol not wiþ þe a-byde, And þou hit desyre, þou hast wouh; Ar þou beo war, hit wol to-glyde, Hit is fikel, ffals and ffrouȝ; Hit is a-weyward In vcheMS. In vche in vch a syde, Whiles hit lasteþ, vnwrest & wouh— Beo war and seo what wol be-tyde: Hit wol to-dryue as lef on bouh. (6) Þe loue þat wole to serwe wende, Þou do hit al out of þi þouȝt: And his loue in þin herte bynde Þat haþ þi loue so deore a-bouȝt. ffor ȝif þou heddest al to þe ende Heuene & eorþe þorwȝ-out souht, To fynde a feere þat weore so hende As he, I-wys hit weore for nouȝt. (7) He is of Mood wel Meke and Mylde, ffreo of herte, strong of miht, Of glade chere, of wordes vn-wylde, Of louesum leore and Eiȝen briht. Ȝif þou wolt do þe in his mylde And him al-one loue ariht, Wiþ-Inne þin herte wol he bylde And wone wiþ þe, boþe day and niht. (8) Wel more murþe is in his steuen Þen herte may þenke or tonge neme; As be þe swan þe blake Rauen, Also be him þe sonne-gleme; No more is no þing to him I-lyche Þen Galle is to þe hony-streme. Of him is al þe Ioye of heuene-riche, Þat wiþ his grace alle þing wol leme. (9) Ȝif Mon be ded and he him Ryne,= hrine, touch He reiseþ him to lyue anone— ffor wele & wynne, serwe and pyne Al is Buxom to him one. Ȝif þow him wole in herte wel tyne And kepe, þat he not from þe gon, Holde him wiþ loue-lyne— ffor oþer bond holdeþ him non. (10) Is non founden here in londe Þat is so Riche Mon of ffee, ffor more good he haþ in honde Þen herte may þenke or eiȝe mai se; Nis kyng, kniht, sweyn ne bonde Þat heo to him mote Boxum be. He haþ I-send a derne sonde And desyreþ to haue þe loue of þe. (11) He askeþ wiþ þe nouþer lond ne leode, Gold ne seluer ne precious stone— To such þinges haþ he no neode, Al þat is good is wiþ hym one. Ȝif þou wiþ him þi lyf wolt lede And graunte to ben his owne lemmon, I wot ful wel what worþ þi meede: fforsoþe, þe heuene-riche won. (12) Þe weyes ben alle þere I-bete Wiþ Riche gold þat schyneþ briht; Þe Ioyful song in vche a strete— Þer is day and neuer-more niht; To synge wol þei neuer lete, To worschupe god wiþ al heore miht. Þat Blisse forsoþe schal be þe mete, Ȝif þou Ihesu crist loue ariht. (13) Ȝif þou wolt þi lemmon qweme And to his brihte boure be brouȝt, In Chastite kep þou þe clene, Þat þou ne be I-wemmed nouht. Non hony-Com þat renneþ on streme Was neuer ȝut so swete wrouht, Ne neuere so briht sonne-gleme Þen Mayden þat is clene of þouȝt! (14) While þou art clene vnder gore, Bi-fore God þou art ful heiȝe— Þer is no þing he loueþ more Þen Maidenhod to wonen him neiȝe. Ne lerne þou neuere þat ilke lore Wher-þorw þou leose Mayden Beiȝe— Þe þing þat mon may fynde no more, Bot he hit kepe, he is vn-sleȝe. (15) Þauȝ al þe gold of Arabye, Riche Rynges and ȝymmes-stone, And al þe tresour of Asye, Of oþer londes euerichone, Weore bi-taken in þi Baylye, To welden and hauen in þi wone: Hit neore nouȝt to þe druwerie Of clene Maidenhod al-one! (16) Hose þis ȝeem-ston miht Louken in a swete loue-ryng, He schulde schyne also briht As sonne doþ, wiþ-outen endyng, And beo holden a ful swete wiht Bi-fore god, [for] al Monkynde Þat wolde in a Mayden liht— fful swete hit is of hire þe Muynde! (17) Lord, ȝif us miht and grace Chaste lyf [to lede] þat we ne spille, Verrey compungcion and space, Repentaunce of dedes ille; And ȝif vs miht to folwe þi trace Euer-more, boþe loude & stille, Þat to þe siht of þi swete face On domes-day we may come tille. XLIII. A Mournyng Song of the loue of God.Title in Index: Þat god is ouer alle þyng to be loued. (1) TO loue I-chulle beginne Ihesu boþe day and niht; Of ffleschlich loue to blynne I-chul don al my miht. Ihesu wiþ-outen synne In a Mayden he liht; Mi loue al for to wynne, Ihesu bi-com my kniht. (2) He fauȝt a-ȝeyn my fo, A-wey he haþ me led Þat me wrouȝte ful wo In care þer I was sted; Þorw ferly fiht and þro Þe ffeloun is from me fled, Mi lemmon let him slo, In loue to make my bed. (3) Mi lemmon is ful trewe Of loue, and ful studefast, Alle dayes I-liche newe He loueþ al on a þrast. I wolde þat alle him knewe And on him loue cast— Scholde non of hem alle rewe, Nouþer furst no last. (4) Mi lemmon is so meke, So hende, so swete, so stille; fful Mylde he is in speche, Wiþ-outen wordes grille; Þe gode he wole al eche, fforȝeten he wole al ille. Ȝif I fleo, he wol me seche, And wiþ loue he wole me tille. (5) Þeroute al-þauh he stonde Callynge at my ȝate Til him frese fot and honde, ffaste vn-to a stake, He ne takeþ staf ne wonde Wiþ wraþþe me for to wake; Mi loue him byndeþ as bonde, Ȝif I him murþes make. (6) He wol me loueliche a-byde Al-þauh I dwelle ful longe, He wol me no-þing be-chide Al-þauȝ I-chaue þe wronge; He seiþ: "bi-hold my syde, And whi on Rode Ich honge. ffor my loue lef þi pride, And I þe wole vnderfonge." (7) Ihesu, þat art so hende, So swete and so þolemood ffrom þe whon so we weende: Allas, þat we hit vnder- stod, And to þe couþe leende And loue wiþ miht and mood, To haue wiþ-outen ende Heuene, þat is so good! (8) Ihesu for me is herte Let þurle þorw-out his syde, And duntes þolede smerte And woundes deope and wyde; Wo and al vnquerte He þolede, to fordo pride, Þe foule synne þat me gerte In helle from him me hyde. (9) Ihesu, my lemmon swete: Of loue þat þou art trewe, Þat is seene in hondes and fete, In heued, in huyde and hewe, Þi bodi of blod al wete, Whon þou gon on me rewe And me brouȝtest from grete And from my foule loue vntrewe. (10) So deore hastou me bouht To bringe me out of pyne, Þer I was Inne I-brouht, I and mo of myne. Ihesu, so fer þou me souȝt, Me and mo of þyne, Þat of þi lyf was þe nouht— So loþ þe was vs tyne. (11) Mi lemmon let him take, Putte & Bete and Bynde, So sore as him mihte ake, His hondes him behynde: And al was for my sake, Mi loue so he heold In mynde. Ich ouȝte euere serwe make, Vn-trewe ȝif he me fynde. (12) Wiþ pyne vppon þe Rode Me bouȝte my deore lemmon, Swete Ihesu þe goode, So muchel of loue he con! Þe teres he lette of blode ffor me whon he bi-gon. Madde þei aren and woode To leuen him for Sathan! (13) On Roode he wolde abyde,— He wolde nouȝwher fer fle, Nouþer go ne Ryde, ffor nayled he is to þe tre. He spredeþ his Armes wyde, ffor loue as we mowe se; His herte þoruȝ-out his syde He ȝiueþ vs, he is so fre! (14) Mi lemmon haþ so sprad His Armes þat beþ so longe: ffor-þi am I nouȝt dred, He wol me vnderfonge. Whon I was from hym fled, On hym he tok þe wronge, To deþe til he was bled, ffor my loue wolde he honge. (15) He bekeneþ vs to blisse Wiþ louynde chere so swete, His Mouþ he beodeþ to cusse; ffor vs his lyf he leete To lere vs and to wisse, And nayled þorw-out his feete, Of Mede þat we ne misse His hondes beoþ þorw weete. (16) Swete Ihesu, þi ore! Þat al hast in þi miht, What mihtest þow do more ffor me, þi wrecched wiht? Of loue þou art my lore, To come to heuene briht. Þat herte may be ful sore To loue þe þat is not diht! (17) Now wol I crie and grete— ffor serwe hit is neiȝ þat I berste, Min herte-blod to blede ffor my lef þat is þus feste. Ihesu, ȝif þat I schal spede, Þi-self þenne is bote beste. ffor grymly grete I drede, Wiþ þi bodi ȝif I reste. (18) How mihti but I grete Til I eode out of my wit? I seo my lemmon blede To deþe, to liggen in put; His syde is schoren as schrede, His herte a spere haþ hut— And al for my misde[de] Was he so felli smit! (19) Now wot I me no won, Lemmon, what I do miht. I seo Marie and Ion, Þi Mooder and þy kniht, fful druri is hire mon ffor þe þat weore so briht— Nou is þer deolfolore non Ne vnlikkore in siht. (20) Þyn eȝen briht as Sonne, Mone and Sterres alle, Þei woxe deske and dimme, Þi feire Rode dude falle; Þi blod was al out Runne. To drinke whon þou gonne calle, Þe wikked men beoden þe Eysel & atter, Bitterore þen þe galle. (21) Wiþ spittyng and wiþ fen And blod out-beten sore Þow weore al out of ken, A Laȝer as þow wore. Þei beote þe, þi foo-men, Of loue to lere vs lore— Þou be blessed, amen, Now and euer-more! (22) Sore I seo þe buye Al my loue-plawe— Al is for my folye Þat þou driȝest heer a þrawe. Allas þen may I crie, And her and huyde to-drawe, I seo my lemmon dyȝe On Roode wiþ-outen lawe! (23) Allas, Allas, out ay, Þat euer was I boren! His deþ is Iewes play, His Coroune is of þorn. Mi lemmon, weylaway! ffor me is lyf haþ lorn, His bodi is al blodi Be-hynden and bi-foren. (24) I seo in eorþe synke, Lemmon, þin herte-blode, Þat þow wiþ pyne and swynke ffor me scheddest on þe Roode. Þerof whi ne moste I drynke, Þat is so swete and goode, On þe þat I mihte þinke ffor loue ay til I eode wode? (25) Allas, þat I ne couþe, Lemmon, don al þi wille Wiþ werk, and word of mouþe, Boþe loude and stille! Almihti god hit ouþe I mihte þe to me tille, So briht so sonne in Souþe, Of þe þat I mihte haue my wille. (26) Marie Mooder Milde, Mi lemmon is þi sone— Wiþ him þou eodest wiþ childe, ffor me wiþ him to wone. I haue ben wood and wylde: Þou preye him þat I cone Loue him, & þat he me schilde, Or eny oþer to mone. (27) Alle oþere I-chulle forsake And don out of my þouȝt, To þe, Ihesu, I me take— So deore þou hast me bouht! Al oþer loue wol make Endynge and waxe to nouȝt: Þi loue nul I forsake, ffor þat bringeþ vs alle o-loft. (28) To wone wiþ þe, bi-leue Lemon, vnder þi tre— May no pyne me greue Ne do me fro þe fle. I wol in at þi sleue, Al in þin herte to be, Myn herte schal berste and cleue, Vn-trewe ar þou me se. (29) fful hard hit is, þi bed: A treo þat stondeþ stille, In wo and weder sted; Þeroute he hongeþ on hille, ffor-beten and for-bled Wiþ Men þat wolden hem spille. Al þus haþ loue þe led, Þi lemmon for to tille. (30) Þi-self þou maiȝt not schelde, Ne torne, so art þou fest; Þou hast nout on to helde Þin hed, on for to rest, Almihti kyng to welde Al þat is worst and best. Hou mihtorig. mihti I euer þe ȝelde Þe loue þat þus wol lest? (31) Cloþing hast þou non— ffor scorn men makeþ þe bare; Þi ffrendes aren from þe gon, And flowen þat wiþ þe ware, Alle bote Marie and Ion, fful of serwe and care— fful dreri is here mon, Þi pyne is al þe mare! (32) Ihesu Crist, my lemmon swete, Þat dyȝedest on þe Rode-tre, Wiþ al my miht I þe bi-seche ffor þyne woundes two and þre, Þat as depe in to myn herte Mot þi loue I-stiked be As was þe spere in to þyn herte, Whon þou suffredest deþ for me. XLIV. Her is a luytel Sarmoun, þat is of good edificacioun.Title in Index: A luytul sermoun of good edificacioun.

[Ten 8-line stanzas; after the first, ab, cb, db, eb.]

At a Sarmoun þer I seet A comely clerkk over line. Ich herde crauen, Wyse wordes he þer speek Þe Mon þat wolde in herte hauen; Ich herde ffrere Henri spellen: "Lete no sunnes in ow dwellen; Þe Mon þat is taken in dedly synne, He may wel witen In wo to wellen. "A þing hit is þat we schul do, Þe Mon þat þenkeþ to liuen in le: Schrift to taken, and þat be tyme— We haue no Borwes heer to be; Whon we hauen, to holde faste, We ne mowe raples þorw þo þre To Bere þe croune to-fore þe kyng Þat for vs þolede deþ on tre. "Heom. He þat for vs þolede deþ on tre, Þou Rihtwys lord, þou deme so: Wis vs to þat ilke stude Þatr. þer euere is wele and neuer wo. God, lete neuere vr wille vr wit be-swiken, ffor whi, vr soule for to slo. Ihesu crist, þou mihtful kyng, Þou haue merci on me and mo. "Mon on Molde, þou mak þe ȝare A-ȝeyn þi deþ on domes-day; Þenk vppon þi muchele neode, Wher þi soule resten may— Heuene or helle wher hit be-tydeþ, Þou maiȝt wel witen þou liuest þer ay. Crist schild vs from þat ilke stude, Þer no mon oþer ne mene ne may. "Mai no mon oþer hem bi-menen, ffor sek and sori heo þer se; Þer is hot and cold and hunger wiþ And þretes—þo beoþ vuele þre, ffurst and hunger and þesternesse, Þat euere schal lyue wiþ-outen lee.orig. leo, corr. to lee. Crist schild vs from þat ilke stude, ffrom Bale þer neuere no bote ne be. "Ne miht þou seo, synful Mon, So doþ þe ffisschere wiþ his hok: Hou he teseþ on þe Banke A brodly breyd I þe Brok; Comeþ þe ffisch and fongeþ hit, So wroþly wrieþ on þe Crok, Þe ffisch is be-wyled þorw þe worm— So wo is þe ffisch þat he hit tok. "Hok bi-tokeneþ helle-pyne— What helpeþ hit to hele wiþ þe? Wommon is worm, þer heo is wikke— May no mon þorw his sunnes se. Þe Mon is ffisch and fongeþ hire— Him weore wel betere to leten hire be, To huyden his hed and hiȝen a-wey, ffrom dedly synne þer-with fle. "Þis prechours þat bi-foren vs speken, Wel liht a Beren heore tonge in wold To wissen vs to þat ilke stude, So holy writ hit haþ hem told. Ȝif we wol lusten to heore lore, We ouȝten be fayn, and ful bold To wonen in þat ilke stude Þer Ihesu crist þer. þat? Cf. Lay Folks' Mass-Book, v. 407: And so þe leuacioun þou be|halde, for þat is he þat iudas salde, And sithen was scourged & don on rode, &c. Iudas solde. "Þer Ihesu crist þe Iudas solde He lene vs lust in lawe to lyuen, Wit and wisdam to vnderstonden, Wiþ schrift al for to schruden vs here. Ȝif we haue wille to wikkedlek, God lete vs þere stunte and stere; He deme so lord at domes-day Þat we mote, lord, in þi wey fere. "In þi wey fere, lord, I wolde ben, To wonen in þat worþli won. Heo þat on þi lift hond leuen, Wel grislych hit is whon þou art gon: A ben I-haried in to helle-pyne, To Bale þer neuer ne bote nis non. He þat al þis world schal demen, Þou Rihtwys lord, þou rewe on Mon. Amen."Then follows Roberd of Cicyle, fol. 299 (ed. in Sammlung altenglischer Legenden 1878, p. 209, from 5 MSS.). XLV. Her is a disputison bi-twene chi[l]d Jhesu & Maistres of þe lawe of Jewus.

Ed. before by Horstmann in Altengl. Leg., 1875, p. 211-14. Miss A. F. Parker collates the text with the MS. henceforward.

[Twenty-five 8-line stanzas, one 12: ab, ab, ab, ab.

Lustneþ lordes, leoue in londe: Soþeli sawes I wol ȝou telle Of gentyl Ihesu, I vnderstonde, Þe ffalse ffei fonded to felle. ffor wo ne wrake ne wolde he wonde Of Trinite trewe to Iewes telle, He sat in see, he nolde not stonde, As best of barnes þat bar þe Belle. Þe gospel seiþ In þis manere: Whon Ihesu was of twelf ȝer age, In to þe Temple he com to lere Wrangful wrecches þat wrouȝt outrage. Maystres wondrede, þat þer were, Þat lawes lerede in heore langage, And seide: "child, what destou þere? Þou sittest stalled in vre stage." A Mayster seide to Ihesu: "Þou scholdest lerne, and nouȝt teche; Þou spillest speche; what seystou? Þi wrangful wordes worcheþ wreche, Þou repungnest in pres a-ȝeyn vr prou; As preised prophete, þe peple preche. Stunt a stounde þi sawe of Gru! Þi wit to teche may not reche. "Þow schuldest lerne A. b. c, ffor þe fayleþ a foundement; Þou tellest tales of Trinite! In wonderwyse þi wit is went. Ȝif þou wolt leorne, þou miht þhe, ffor wonder wit on þe is sent; Of Bales Boote þou miht be, Ȝif þou neore In errour hent." Ihesu seide: "I may wel se Þi Bok is blynt, and þou art blent; Þou farest foule, so þynkeþ me, ffor lewed lore on þe is lent. Whi is A Bi-fore b? Tel me, þat spekest in present, Or I schal tymeli teche þe Þi Reson raþe þe schal Repent." Þe Maister wiþ wel wikked wille Spak in pres of people a-pliht; "Ihesu, þou art a grameful gille, I Rede Raþe þou lerne a-Riht; And bote þou stonde a stounde stille, To Betyng Bare þou schalt be diht." Qwaþ Ihesu: "þat is no skille, I com not hider for to fiht. "Ȝit," quaþ Ihesu, "of myn askyng Þou ne ȝiuest non onswere. I am ful Old, þeih I be ȝing. A louely lore I wol þe lere— Tak þis tale of my teching: A Is prys, wiþ-oute pere, lettre of þreo and is o þing; Þreo partyes A haþ knet I-fere. "Bi A Biginneþ þe lettrure, ffo[r] A is lyk þe Trinite. Þreo partyes A haþ of Mesure, Knet in knotte on A wol be. Ȝif þou wolt lerne, þou miht hure Hou A is lyk þe deite. Þe Deite is, þis is sure, Þreo and on, In Maieste, And euer her after heo schul dure In-departable alle þre. Nou hastou lerned, tac þou cure, Hou A is most of dignite." Þe Maister seide in þat stounde: "What artou, lettrure to lere? Bi Moyses lawe, nis not founde Þe lawes þat þou tellest heere. Þou seist in þis ilke grounde 'Þou art old and ȝong I feere'; Þi sawe soþli nis not founde; Þerfore þou art me no-þing dere. "Stond þou stille swiþe, I seye, And louely lustne to my lore, And þou miht bi alle weye Beo ful wys for euer-more. Þou hast wit In memorie And wel ȝong þi wit is core; Hit is medlet wiþ ffolye, And þat greueþ me grimly sore. "Of Moyses vr lawe we had And nou newe þow wolt teche. Of þi sawe swiþe am I sad, Of þe Trinite to spille speche. Þou greuest me, I am not glad, With luþer lawes þou luþer leche; Þou spekest of godhed as child al mad, fforþer þen þi wit wol reche." A-noþer Mayster seide in hiȝe: "Child, her is a wonder þing! Þow kennest comeli Clergye, And ȝit to teche þou art to ȝyng; Þou hast not lerned, as men seye: Hou hastou þenne þi connyng? Deueles demeþ Mon to dyȝe: Þi tonge haþ tast of heore teching. "Þi wrongful wordes worcheþ wrake. Þow seist þat god is on and þre. I Bede þin errour þou forsake, Þou spekest of þing þat mai not be. As ouer-come þou worth of-take, Þat al þis peple hit schal se. Þis qwestion to þe I make: Tel me what is þe Trinite?" Ihesu, as best þat bar þe belle, Wolde wite riht a-non, Ȝif he couþe o þing telle Of prechynge prophetes wonder won, "Þat seide crist scholde dwelle Her on eorþe a-mong his fon, Alle ȝor lawes to fulfelle; Þis wol ȝor lawes euerichon. "Crist is liht of god Almiht And of Godes liht I-core. Ysaye spac her-of a-pliht: Of a Mayden he scholde be bore. Þou miȝt wel wite hit is riht, He schal bugge þat is for-lore. God is þe ffader, Crist sone & liht; Þe sone is geten wiþ-outen hore. "ffor as þe sonne ȝiueþ his leem Ȝif he wiþ cloudes is not let, So com crist as sonne-Beem In to þat Buirde þat Bales bet. Ȝif þou take wel good ȝeem Hou þe sonne-Beem euere is set Vndeparted, so is þe strem Of crist with God mid knottes knet. "Now tak herto good entent: Þe ffader liht in þe sone schal be, Þe ffader liht ȝit nis nouȝt blent, Al is o liht In Deite. Þen is hit proued bi Argument, Þat ffader and sone, o liht beoþ he; Þe holy spirit wiþ hem present, Heo þreo Beoþ God In Trinite. "ffor þe Trinite, I þe seye, A is lettre of alle cheef; Þerfore he is in alle weye Put bi-fore: her is good preef! Þe Trinite þei schal seo wiþ eȝe, Alle Men þat ben him leof; Þen is mon A preised preiȝe, Þat to þe Trinite doþ no greef!" Þe Maistres seide of þe lawe, Þat deueles tauhte him clergye; "A Mayde," þei seide, "bi prophetes sawe, Schal bere crist, kyng of glorie. Wel we witen, and wel is knawe, Þe Olde Ioseph weddet Marie; Oþer record cunne we non drawe, He nis not crist bi prophecie." Ihesu spac with Mylde chere To Iewes þat gonne grede & crie: "ffareþ feire, ffrendes deore, ȝe ffareþ foule wiþ folye. And o þing a-non ȝe schul heere: What seiþ þe prophete Ysaye? Heo schal be weddet wiþoute pere, Þe Mylde Mooder of Messye. "Ysaye seiþ a-noþer þing: Crist in þe lawe schal be bore— And þat mot ben In weddyng, And elles cristes lawe is lore. Prophetes speeke of his comyng At Iesse bi-gon þe more. Ȝit haþ crist no bi-gynnyng, Al-þauȝ þat crist be mon I-core. Ioseph uirga floruit fatu Ysaye; Coniunx, lex ut monuit, mater fit Messye." Þe Maystres And Iewes mo, Of ȝonge Ihesu hedde meruayle, Hou þat he was comen hem to, Wiþ wit and clergye to assayle. Of hem hedde Ihesu mony a fo, ffor heore wit gon sone fayle; Monye with-drawe and gonne go, Whon heore clergye hem nolde vayle. In-to þe Temple com Marie: Heo sayȝ hire sone In see was set, And tauȝte þe peple bi clergye Of loueli lawe wiþ-oute let. To him heo seide Riht in heiȝe: "Now is my Bale myd boote I-bet! Þi ffader and I wel sorie Þe haueþ souȝt, & nouȝwher met. Ego & pater tuus dolentes querebamus te." Ihesu seide in þat stounde: "Mi ffader wille is þat I do; I wol vn-bynde þat was bounde: Mi ffader wole þat hit beo so. Þe peple I preche wiþ facounde And I teche ffrend and fo; Mi sarmoun is boþe soþ & sounde; On me is ffader and sone also. "Mi ffader lawe I wol fulfelle, Þerfore I am hider I-sent; Douȝter and Moder, to þe I telle, Elles weore þe world I-schent. Mi ffader wol with-oute dwelle, Þat I teche ow In present; Þe ffendes fare doun to felle Þat haþ with wrong þe world went." Romayns þer were wonder won Þat cunnynge were of Clergye; Bi prophecie heo wusten vchon Þat he was crist with-outen lye; Honourede him for crist anon, ffor his miht & his maistrie. Preye we crist þat we so don, To geten þe gle in his glorie. Amen. XLV. A disputison by=twene a cristenemon and a Jew.

Ed. before in Horstmann's Sammlung altengl. Leg., Heil|bronn 1878, p. 204 ff.; three stanzas, vv. 145-192, are printed in Warton's Hist. of Engl. Poetry, ed. Hazlitt, III, 181-3.

[Twenty 16-line stanzas: aaab, cccb, dddb, eeeb.]

(1) Alle Bliþe mote þei be, Þat folyes bleþeliche wole fle. How hit bitidde bi-ȝonde séé, Þe soþe I wol ȝow say. In þe Toun of Parys— Þat is A Citéé of Prys— Twey men mette þat weore wys, And wente bi þe way. Þei weore Clerkes of Diuinite, Crafti Men in heore degre. Eiþer, Maister wolde be, ffoondeþ ȝif þei may. Þus þei desputed so faste, While þe day mihteMS. mihti laste, Nouþer oþer couþe caste, Beo Rihtwys lay. (2) Þe ton was of Engelonde, A Cristene Mon, Ich vnderstonde; He hedde I-souht ouer þe sonde, Wondres to se; He hedde I-lernd of Clergys, As Men doþ þat beoþ wys: Þe mon þat most is of prys, Maister moste be. Þe toþer was A Ieuȝ riht, A Mon muchel of his miht; To his trouþe hedde he tiht, Trewe as þe tre:— Þat wol I apertly preue: Þulke lay þat he on leeue, ffor no gold þat [me] mihte him ȝeue, Chaunge wolde not he. (3) Þe Cristene Mon seide as he þouȝt: "Lo, ȝonde vr god þat vs bouȝt! Oþer trouwe þou hit nouȝt, Bi daye nor bi niht? Certeynliche, ȝonde is he Þat for vs diȝede on þe tre, And also bouwed him to be In A Buyrde Briht, As heo wemles was, Seþþe cler as þe glas; Bi-twene Oxe and an As I-bore was þat kniht, At þe ȝol ful ȝare, Al for vr wel-fare. Woldest þou leeue on my lare, Þi lykyng were liht!" (4) Þe Ieuȝ sone seide þare: "Ar we fforþere fare— Þer is O god, and no mare, Heiȝly in holde, And, as I trowe, in þe trone, He schop þe sonne and þe Moone; But he hedde neuer no sone ffor synful was solde. Þe grete god calle we— Þat is semely to se: Oþer may þer non be, Ȝonger ne Olde. Wharto makestou þi mone? I trouwe, þi wit beo þe wone; Al mis artou gone Heer on þis wolde."r. molde (5) Þe cristen Mon stondeþ stille, And seþþen he talkeþ him tille And seiþ: "þatom. þat? þi wikked wille Schal worche þe ful wo. Þou leuest not in þe Mes, Þat euer God þer in Isr. es: ffor-þi lyking is þe les, And loren artou so, And al þi careful kynde Þat euer bi-com of his strende. Men schal in Baret þe bynde, And bete þe ful blo. Whon þou schalt of þis world wende, Þou schalt be tauȝt to þe fende, And euermore wiþ-outen ende In-to þe pyne go." (6) Þe Ieuȝ bi-gon him to greue: "Þat wol I apertly preue, Boþe of Adam and of Eue Of hem we weore alle I-wrouht. And I dar wage wiþ þe Tonnes of wyn þre Þat I schal lete þe him se, Þou seist þat þe bouht, Boþe þe vuel and þe gode: Hou he was don on þe Roode; And alle þat bi him stoode Whon he to deþe was brouht. So const þou not do ffor al þi clergye; þerto, As haue I reste oþer Ro, Þi Reson is nouȝt." (7) Þe cristen mon Mildely gon malt: "I telle þe, truwaunt for-talt: Men schal in prison þe palt, And putte þe to pyne; But ȝif þou lete me him se Þat for vs dyede on þe tre, Seþþe þe Maystrie ȝeue I þe, To þe and alle þyne. Loke þow holde þat we say! To morwe, set we þat day, We schal wende on vr way To winne vs þe wyne. Þe Mon þat fayles of his fare, Al loren is his lare; He may droupe and dare Þat schal his trouþe tyne." (8) Þus þei woke al þe niht, Til on þe Morwen at day-liht Þe cristene mon Ros Riht, And radly gon say His Matyns in þe Mornyng; Seþþe his Masse gon he syng; He þonked vr lord in alle þing, As he þat most may. Soone þei metten, as þei miht. "Haue I-don," he seide, "artou diht ffor to holde þat þou hiht? Þis is vr day. Oþer a nay, or A ȝa? Soone tel þou me swa!" Him grauntes for-to ga, And went on heore way. (9) Þe Cristen mon seide son, Whon his Masse was don: "I wol take god me vppon, And bere him wiþ me: Boþe in lond and in leode, Al þe lasse is my drede: Þe mon þat to him takeþ hede, Þe better he may be. Þer nis non enemy in helle, Non so fers ne so felle, And he here of vre lord telle, Þat on Is in þre: ffor al þe gold in þe grounde, He wolde not byde him a stounde Þat he nolde freschly founde, And a-wey fle." (10) fforþ heo wenten on þe ffeld To an Hul þei bi-heold. Þe eorþe cleuet as a scheld On þe grounde grene. Sone fond þei a stih: Þei went þer-on radly; Þe Cristene mon hedde ferly What hit mihte mene. After þat stiȝ lay a strete, Clene I-pauet wiþ grete. Þei fond a maner þat was meete Wiþ Murþes ful schene, Wel coruen and wrouht, Wiþ halles heiȝe vppon loft. To a place weore þei brouht, As paradys þe clene. (11) Þer was foulene song, Muche Murþes a-mong— Hose lenge wolde long, fful luitel him þouht. On vche a syde of þe halle, Pourpul, pelure and palle; Wyndouwes I þe walle, Was wonderli I-wrouht. Þer was dosers on þe dees, Hose þe cheef wolde ches, Þat neuere Ricchere wes In no sale souht. Boþe þe Mot and þe molde Schon al on red golde. Þe cristen mon hedde ferli on þat folde Þat þider was brouȝt. (12) Þer was Erbes growen grene, Spices springynge bi-twene; "Such hedde I non sene, ffor-soþe, as I say." Þe þrestel song ful schille, He newed notes at his wille; ffeire ffloures to fille, ffeire in þat ffey. And al þe Rounde table good, Hou Arthur in eorþe ȝod, Sum sat and sum stod O þe grounde grey— Hit was a wonderful siht: . . . . . As þei weore quik men diht, To seo hou þey play. (13) Þe Iewȝ sone in þat tyde, He spak þer a word of pryde: Hose wol lenge and abyde May lusten and lere. Til a Nonnerie þei came; But I knowe not þe name: Þer was mony a derworþe dame In Dyapre dere. Squiȝers in vch a syde In þe wones so wyde. "Heer schul we lenge and abyde, Auntres to heere." Þenne swiþe spekeþ he Til a ladi so fre And biddeþ: þat he welcome be, "Sire Water, my feere." (14) Þer was Bordes I-cloþed clene Wiþ schire cloþes and schene. Seþþe a wasschen, I weene, And wente to þe sete. Riche metes was forþ brouht, To alle men þat good þouht; Þe Cristen mon wolde nouht Drynke nor ete. Þer was wyn ful clere In mony a feir Maseere, And oþer drynkes þat weore dere In Coupes ful gret. Siþþe was schewed hem bi, Murþe and Munstralsy, And preyed hem do gladly Wiþ Rial Rehet. (15) By þe Bordes vp þei stode. Or þei forþere ȝode, So weore þei war of a Rode fful Raþe, as I Rede, And a bodi þer-vppon, Þat woundes hedde mony on; Bi him stod Marie and Ion, Wepynde good spede, Oþur Apostles of prys, Poul and Peter þe wys, And seint Ion þe Baptys, Was douhti of dede. Whon he was schewed to þe siht, Boþe of leom and of liht Þe Mon þat most was of miht, His woundes gon blede. (16) Þe Ieuȝ, sone seide he: "Holden is þat I hihte þe." Þe toþer seide: "þat schal I se, Certeynly, ful sone." Þe Cristen Mon hedde a derworþ þinge, On his Bodi, he gon hit brynge: Þat a prest schulde wiþ synge Whon Masse schulde be don. "Ȝif þou be god so fre Þat for me diȝed on þe tre, Here þi sone mai þou se," And heold him a-bouen. Whon he was schewed to þe siht, He barst þe Buyldynge so briht. Boþe was derk as þe niht, Heore sonne and heore mone. (17) Al þe gere þat was gay Was þenne I-wasted a-way. Þe Cristene Mon gon say: "Beon þeos þi godes here?" Þe Ieuh onswerde him wiþ 'nay' And ofte Merci gon him pray: "I wol leue my lay, And on þi lore lere. Sore I doute me of dred. I haue i-lost my wed: Þo þat are forþ fled Was fendes in feere, Non good, but al ille." No more he tented hem tille. Heo þo stoden o þe hulle Þer þey furst were. (18) Þus he ȝeldes him ȝare, Al for his wel-fare. He seide: "of Blisse I haue be bare Seþþen I was furst born. Now knowe I wel þat hit mai be Þat O-fold god Is in þre: Whuch þat þou brouȝt wiþ þe Þis day at Morn. He is vre heuene kyng, Makere of alle þyng, And schop þe fruit for to spryng, Boþe Curnel and Corn." Þus he Rapes of his res, To vre God he him ches, Let al his luþernes, Was poynt to be lorn. (19) Seþþe þei wente to þe Cite, A-cordet, as þei scholde be. Who was payed bote he, And eiþer of oþer! He þonked god his swete sonde Þat he hedde brouȝt out of bonde, Wel I-wonne to his honde, Bliþely his Broþer. Mete and drynke þei hedde at wille, Wiþ-outen grucchyng or grille In trouþe tente þei þer tille, And lafte al þat oþer. Þe Mon þat haþ synne I-wrouȝt And siþen repentes him ouȝt, God is a-payed, þat vs bouȝt. Leeue we non oþer. (20) What was þe Monnes nome I-lyk But Sir Water of Berewyk? He was wonynge I þe Ryk, At Roome was called. Þe pope ȝaf him pouste— Þat mony mon mihte se— Penitauncer for to be Of ȝonge and of olde, Seþþe to soyle and to schriue Boþe to Mon and toMS. two wyue, Eke to mende heore lyue And to þe trouþe holde. Þenne tok þei þe Ieuȝ, Anon cristend hym neuȝ; Þus to vre God he hym kneuȝ And ȝeply him ȝolde. [XLVII. How to hear Mass.So the title in Index. The poem was ed. before by Canon Simmons in "The Lay Folks' Mass Book," 1879, E. E. T. S., p. 128 ff. (His sidenotes are reprinted here.) It is a free Mid|land version of Dan Jeremy's Massbook for Laymen, a northern translation of which was ed., from 4 MSS., by Simmons, l. c. The liturgical prayers are mostly omitted in MS. Vernon, either because prayers of that kind were given before in MS. Vernon, or because the uses were different in different churches.] Her techeþ þys tretys þenne Hou mon scholde here hys masse; Hit is ful nedful to alle menne, To more and eke to lasse. Ȝong & olde, More and lasse, fful god hit is to here a Masse, Þat Cristendam haþ tan. Hit was mad for soule-hele, Þe Pater noster wiþ bedesMS. dedes fele, And de profundis Is on. Þe Pater noster Is pris preyere, Wiþ oþer orisons mony and sere. Holdeþ ow stille as ston: And ȝe schul here þe beste þing Þat euer ȝe herde of Olde or ȝyng As wyde as mon haþ gon. Lustneþ here, & ȝe wol lyþe: Of a talkyng I wol ȝou kiþe, Cumfort to al Mon-kynde: Þat is þe Meedes of þe Masse. Eueri mon boþe more and lasse Schulde haue hit in his mynde, Hou þat ȝe scholde ȝor seruise seye And priueliche ȝor preyers preye To him þat may vn-bynde, In saluyng of ȝor synnes seuene, To þe mihtful kyng of heuene, Vr ffader þat we schal fynde. And hou vr ffader schal be founde To vche a mon þat is I-bounde In sunne, as I ow say. His suffrance we may se, Hou þat he suffreþ þe and me Wiþ miht al þat he may, And euere is redi vr bales to bete, To loke what tyme þat we wol leete, In-to vr laste day; Ȝif we ben in wille to leue vr synne, He techeþ vs wel hou we schal wynne To heuene þe heiȝe way. What mon wolde now suffre so His sone I-slayen, and hedde no mo, But ȝif he miȝte lyue a-ȝeyn; Ȝif he for traytrie weore take, Sone he schulde be forsake Or elles soþli slayn. Whon þou dost a dedly synne, Al þe while þat þou dwellest þer-Inne Þou puttest to his payn; Þe same he suffred for vr sake, Þen most merci a-mendes make Boþe wiþ miht and mayn. Þorw his Merci and his miht He reweþ of vs, a-ȝeynes þe riht, As Rihtwysnes wol rede. Rihtwysnes wolde, assone As we dedly synne haue done, To dampne vs to þe dede: Þen most Merci be Mayster most Þorw þe miht of þe holy gost, And stonde wiþ vs in stede; And lenge wiþ vs in leo and lede, Til we beo don out of þat dede Þorw bone of holy bede. Wiþ ȝor leue, I wol be-gynne Of a Mater for to mynne, A good þing for to make, On þe hexte þing hit is Þat euer was mad: þat is þe Mes, Monnes sunnes to slake. Eueri day þou maiȝt se Þe same bodi þat diȝed for þe, Tent ȝif þou wolt take, In figure and in fourme of Bred, Þat Ihesu dalte, er he weore ded, ffor his disciples sake. On þe hexte þing to here, And þe lihtest for to lere, ffor lewed men In lare, Hou þat ȝe schul ȝor seruise say, And priueliche ȝor preyers pray, In churche whon þat ȝe are. I do ow wel to witen wiþ-outen drede, Þe Masse was mad for monnes nede, ffor al folk lasse and mare. As þe prest seiþ his preyere, So schulde vche mon þat him gon here, And þei wuste what hit ware. Ȝif I seide þis word wiþ my wit, Wiþ-outen witnesse of holi writ Wisdam weore hit non; Þerfore I wole þat ȝe hit witen, Hou þat we fynde hit writen Wiþ Auctours mony on. Of Austin, Ambrose, Bernard, and Bede, Ȝit heore Resons wol I rede A-Mong ȝow euerichon. Þei make muynde of mony a mede Þat we schul haue for vre good dede, To churche whon þat we gon. What tyme þat þow biginnest to go Ouþer to þe churche or fro, To here a Masse ȝif þou may, Eueri fote þat þou gas, Þyn Angel poynteþ hit vch a pas, Þe Prince of heuene to pay. Þat day schalt þou elde nouȝt, Ȝif þou beo studefast in þi þouht On God þat is verray; Not Blynt þat day schalt þou not be Þat þou þi sauiour hast se, Þorw him þat mihtes may. A ffair grace God haþ þe ȝiuen, Of þi sunnes and þou be schriuen Þat day þou hast god se: Ȝif þou be ded þe same day, Þou schalt be founden I þe fay, Hoseled as þou hed be. Baldely maiȝt þou swete and swynke ffor to wynne þe Mete and drinke Wiþ-outen tray or tene; And ȝif þou be in eny drede, Al þe better schalt þou spede To keuere of cares kene. Ȝif þou haue eny wey to wende, I rede þou here a masse to ende In þe Morennynge ȝif þow may; And ȝif þou may not do so, I rede, beo vnderne ar þou go, Or elles be heiȝ midday. Serteynliche wiþ-outen fayle Þou schalt not leose of þi trauayle Not half a foote of way; O þi bodi þou schalt be lihtore, And þi weyes wende þe Rihtore, Þorwh him þat mihtes may. ÞOuh he be nouȝt at þi lykynge, Þe prest þat schal þy masse synge, Þerfore lette þou nouht: His Masse schal be asaltered from a to as by another hand. good to heere As Monk, Chanoun, Hermyte or ffrere,— Þus þenk hit in þy þouht,— Þauȝ his preyere and his bone Bi-fore God come not so sone As he þat neuer synne wrouȝt: Ihesu crist, souereyn of al, He may deeme boþe gret and smal, Þus Doctours han I-souht. Seynt Ambrose seiþ, hose redeþ riht: Þe Masse Is of so muche miht, Þer nys no mon þat May, Wheþer þat he be old or ȝonge, Þe tenþe part telle wiþ tonge, Þeiȝ he schulde liue for ay. Þe Exposission is so expres, Wiþ al þe priuete of þe Mes, Serteyn wiþ-oute delay, Þat, couþe a mon neuere so muche of art, He mihte not telle þe tenþe part, Þauȝ he hedde þouȝt to say. Seynt Ierom seiþ: for soules sere, Þauh a Mon wolde a þousent ȝere Do a Masse for to synge, HitMS. His is nouþer more ne las But vch a soule schal haue a mas— Hit is so heiȝ a þinge. Ȝit I Rede ow go to chirche, Godes werkes for to worche, In-to vr laste endynge: Haue we no doute of vr dole, Vch soule schal haue a masse al hole, Þorw help of heuene-kynge. fful hard hit were to vre bi-houe Vch a prouerbe for to proue Of þeos Auctours alle; Serteynliche wiþ-outen lees Of sum of hem þen wol I sees ffor þing þat may be-falle; Ȝif I drouȝ hem on lengþe, I trou no mon schulde haue þe strengþe To stonde and heere hem alle. Lewed men, and ȝe wol list, fful fayn I wolde þat ȝe hit wist On Crist whon ȝe schulde calle. To calle on Crist wiþ mylde chere, Lewed Men, I schal ȝou lere. Whon þat þe prest bi-ginnes, Whon he seiþ his Confiteore, ffeire he louteþ þe Auter bi-fore, To schriue him of his synnes. Serteynly, wiþ-oute delay And ȝe for þe prest pray, And he atte Masse ȝou mynne, Sikerli I dar wel say, Þer nis no tonge þat telle may What Mede þat ȝe may wynne. But ȝit I telle ȝou, sikerly: And ȝe preye but only ffor ȝor owne hele, I do ȝow to witen wiþ-outen drede Ȝe beo not worþ so muche meede, Not be þe haluendele, As þi kuynde puttes þe to To don vuele he biddes þe do. Ȝif þou wol wone in weole, Prey for þe prest, and he for þe: Þat Is a preyere of charite, Þen maiȝt þou synge of loue lele. Loue is trewe in vche a leede; Ȝif þou do ille, vuel schalt þou spede ffor al þe craftes þat þou con. Whon þat þou comest þe chirche with-Inne And þou sest þe prest bi-gynne, Take his vestimens on: Loke þou do as I sey þe, Knele a-doun vppon þi kne, Noyse þat þow make non; Seþþe stond vp at þi seruise, And serue god on þis wyse, Al folk euerichon: Þou schalt say: "þi drihten And deore god almihten, And In Marie I me a-seure, Þat heo saue vs alle, Boþe grete and smalle, Of sunnes we beþ vn-pure; And þat I may me schriue Of al my wikked lyue To Prest þat bereþ þe cure, Þat I haue I-wrouȝt And in herte I-þouȝt As vnkuynde creature. "I was vn-kuynde, And was þenne blynde, To worche a-ȝeynes his wille Þat fust me wrouȝt, And seþþe me bouȝt ffro peynes he was put to ille. Þer-fore we pray To þe to-day, Þat knowes boþe good and ille: Graunt vs lyue, We may vs schriue, Vr penaunce to folfille." We schal preyȝe Ihesus Þat he forȝiue vs Vr sunnes, þat we may synge, Þat we may pray Þe Prince to-day, Schop eorþe and alle þinge, Þat in Clannesse We may þe Messe Þorw miht of heuene-kynge, So deorliche to do, To torne þe to Vs alle to good endynge. Certes, sires, ful good hit is To stonde stille at þe Mes, Sum good word for to say; Whuche þat ȝe wole preye fore, Þauh ȝe do for mony a score, At a Masse ȝe may; Alle þo þat ȝe nempne nouȝt, But only þenke in ȝor þouȝt Þat ȝe wolde fore pray, I do ow to wite wiþ-outen doute, Þer nis no soule a Masse wiþ-oute, But he haue helle for ay. Wust I my ffader in flesch and felle Weore holliche I-holden in helle, Þer weore non hope of hele, To preye for him I couþe no Red, No more þen for a Dogge were ded, But let hem wiþ him dele. Ȝit I rede we go to chirche, Godes werkes for to worche, Ȝif we wole wone in wele; Seþþe hit is vnknowe to vs, We schul preye for alle ffidelibus To Rewe soules þat beþ lele. Ȝit I bidde ȝou takeþ good tent Þat ȝe holde no parlyment Wiþ no cristen mon, Whon ȝe come þe Churche with-Inne, And ȝe seo þe prest bi-ginne Take þe vestimens on: Þe foule fend so fel is, He writ ȝor wordes I-wis On a Rolle euerichon. Also witnesseþ seynt Austine, Þat furst wit in Engelond gan lene, And precheMS. preched þe treuþe bi-gon. The Mass-Book does not contain this anecdote. It is in R. Brunne's Handlyng Synne, p. 287-8.Ar seynt Austin In Engelond come, Wiþ popepope erased. Gregori of Rome fful long tyme gon he dwelle. Vppon a day for worschupefulnesse Þe Popepope erased. wolde synge a Messe As him ful fayre bi-felle: He made a signe to seynt Austyne, ffor he schulde ben his dekne digne To Rede þe gospelle. And as he radde, þen sauh he þen Two wyues, as ȝe may witen, Tales þen gonne þei telle. Seynt Austin herde þis wordes alle; In A wyndow on þe walle Þer bi-fore his face A foul fend he sauȝ þer-In, Wiþ penne & enke & parchemin, As God ȝaf him þe grace; He wrot so faste til þat he want, ffor his parchemyn-skin was so scant, To speken þei hedde such space; Wiþ his teeþ he gon hit togge, And so radli he gon hit Rogge Þat al þe Rolle gon race. So harde raced he þat Rolle, Þat he chopped his Cholle Aȝeyn þe Marbel-ston. Al þe folk I þe chirche About Was a-stoneid of þat clout And herden hit euerichone. Seynt Austin seiȝ hou faste he drouh: He barst on lauhtre, and loude louh. Þe PopePope erased. ful sore gon grone, ffor serwe neiȝ þe PopePope erased. wept. After masse, Austyn he met, And Mekely made his mone. He made his mone wiþ mylde mod: "Whi weore þou so wikked and wod ffor to do þat dede? A worse dede miht þou neuer done." Austin onswerde him ful sone— Þerof he hedde gret drede: "Lord, greue ȝe nouȝt til þat ȝe wite. A foul fend I say site— Serwe mot ben his mede!— Two wyues sat ȝonder langare, Alle heore wordes wrot he þare Vppon a Rolle to rede. "Þei tok no tent til heore Mas: Al heore wordes more and las, He wrot hem euerichon; ffor to speke þei hedde such space, Þe fend wrot wiþ a foul face Til his Parchemyn was al gon. Whon his parchemyn was al spende, He rauhte þe Rolle bi þe ende, Wiþ his teth a-non He logged, þat al in-synder gon lasch, And wiþ his hed he ȝaf a dasch Aȝeyn þe Marbel-ston. "Lord, greue ȝe not for þat dunt! He stoneyd me, and made me stunt Stille out of my steuene. I wol sigge as I seȝe, ffor a word wol I not lyȝe, Be Mihtful kyng of heuene." He ladde him forþ, as I trowe, Til he com to þe wynt-douwe Þat I be-fore gon nemene: ffoul þei fond þer I-sched, As blac as pich was I-spred Vppon þe Aschelers euene. Þis is wonder þing wiþ-outen drede; Þer was neuer fend blod mihte blede, He haþ nouþer flesch ne bon; But god wolde þat hit were so, To chastise hem and oþer mo Þat to churche gun gon. Til a Masse was seid to ende, A Mon schulde talke with fo nor frende, But holde him stille as ston; Þat hous was mad for preyere To Ihesu and to his Moder dere, To þonke hem al heore lon. At þe wyues gon þei witen What þei seiden whon þei siten Seynt Austyn hem bi-syde, Bi heore onswere þei wuste ful wel Þat þei hedde spoken muchel vncel, And in heore hertes gun hyde. Þerfore, sires, I rede ȝe loke, God tent I wolde ȝe toke, ffor þing þat may bi-tyde, Þat ȝe mesure ȝou þe mare, Of speche þat ȝe ow spare, At Masse whon þat ȝe byde. Þe PopePope erased. greued him wel þe lasse; He let comaunden at þe Masse Of þat Miracle to mynne, And also bad wiþ ful good wille Þat eueri Mon schulde stonde stille Whon he comeþ þe churche with-Inne; And þenkeMS. þenne hou wel þat god may wreke Euerich a word þat we speke; We do ful muche synne: A Prest miȝt be let of his mes, Al þis world miȝt fare þe wers, Vs alle to wo to wynne.— "Vr ffader vre al-weldyng is, God let vs neuere his murþes mis. Lord, halwed be þi name. In heuene and eorþe þi wille Be don, and þat is skille, Or elles we ben to blame. Vr vche-dayes bred ȝif vs to-day. Þat we may trustily whon we schul away To come to þi kyndame. God kepe vs to vre laste endynge, Let neuer þe fend wiþ fals fondynge Cumbre vs in no schame." Þis pater noster schulde ben vsed And for non orison beo refused, I schal ȝow telle for whi: Of his Mouþ hit was maad, Þat al þis world long and braad Out of Bale gan buyȝe. Leeue hit wel, and not wene hit, Þe pater noster contened Alle þing hollye Þat vs neodeþ, and non oþer, Boþe for þis world and þat oþer, Quik whon we schal dye. At þe gospel, were ful good Studefastliche þat ȝe stod, ffor no þing þat ȝe stured hit; Al ȝor lykyng þer-on leiþ To wite what þe prest seiþ, Holliche þat ȝe here hit. Þauȝ ȝe vnderstonde hit nouȝt, Ȝe may wel wite þat god hit wrouȝt, And þerfore wisdam were hit ffor to worschupe al godes werkes, To lewed men þat ben none clerkes. Þis lesson, now go lere it. And whi ȝe schulde þis lessun lere, Herkneþ alle and ȝe may here. Þer a Neddre hauntes, Ȝe may wel fynde, and ȝe wol seche, He vnderstond noþing þi speche Whon þou hire enchauntes, Neuerþeles heo wot ful wel What is þi menynge eueri-del Whon þat þou hire endauntes. So fareþ þer vnderstondyng fayles, Þe verrey vertu ȝow alle a-vayles Þorw grace þat god ȝow grauntes. Whon þe gospel is I-don, Ȝit wolde I, gode men euerichon, Þat ȝe couþe ȝor crede; What tyme þat þe prest say Þat ȝe miȝte ȝor-self pray, fforsoþe hit were gret nede; And seþþe trewely trouwe þer-Inne, And fulliche out of ȝor mouþ hit mynne, Þer-to liht muche mede. And ȝif ȝe trowe and wol not telle, So dude þe fend þat from heuene felle, And doþ hit nouht in dede, Þouȝ þou neuere so trewely trowe, Wiþ-oute dede ful luytel hit douwe, So doþ þe deuel þat dredes. But seynt Iacob, Iosepes broþer, Seiþ þat we schal don non oþer, In his pistel whose redes. Such þing as þou seyst and doos, Þi Neiȝebor wol þerof make Roos What lyf þat þow lede. Wiþ-In a storie in þat stede He seiþ þat trouþe is but dede But hit be don in dede. Ȝit beo þer mo men lyuing in lede Þat I wolde couþe heore crede, And whon þei couþe ken hit. I haue I-seid as I con: Ȝif þer beo euer eny mon Þat seiþ he con a-mende hit, ffaute þer-Inne ȝif þat he fynde, Mak no scornynge me be-hynde But aȝeyn to me he sende hit, Or elles help þat I may here hit. Þus an Englisch as I lernde hit I haue I-þouht to ende hit.The Engl. text is, however, omitted. . . . . . A Resun I schal reden ow riht Whi þe day bi-fore þe niht Was ordeynt for to be. ffor Adam of þe Appel eete, Ihesu Crist vr bales con beete, Þat dyed vppon þe Tre; Out of liht þat he was Inne, In-to helle for his sinne, Holliche þer was he; He was banischt out of blis In-to helle, boþe he and his, Bi-foren þat was so fre. Ȝit a Resun I schal ȝou say: Whi þe niht bi-fore þe day Was ordeynt, I schal ȝou telle: ffor Ihesus suffred woundes fyue, And siþþe a-Ros fro deþ to lyue, And after herwede helle; Out of þesternes þorw his miht Aȝeyn he put him to þe liht Whuch þat he fro felle, And dude him aȝeyn in paradis Þat he hedde lost boþe he & his, Wiþ speche as I ow spelle. Aluytel bi-fore þe prest wasch Let him not his offryng asch Ȝif þou þenke for to offre; Whon he torneþ a-non þe tille, Go vp to him with ful good wille And þi peny him profre. Þauȝ þou be not þer-to in dette, Þou schalt þinke hit ful wel bi-set, I swere bi seynt Cristofre; Of sinnes hit wol make þe to sese, And þi catel also encrese Of seluer in þi Cofre. But fayn I wolde þat þou þus seide Whon þou in his hond hit leide, Or þenk hit in þi þouht: Similar prayer in Mass|Book, v. 247. "God, þat was In Bethleem bore, Þreo kynges kneled þe beo-fore, And heore offryng brouȝt; Þou tok heore offryng of alle þre: So receyue þis of me, And forȝete me nouȝt, Þat I may euere wiþ þe wone, And kuyndelich clepe þe godes sone, On þe Roode as þou me bouȝt." Whon he haþ waschen, þen he walkes, Priueliche and stille he stalkes To his Auter aȝeyn. Þe furste þing he doþ, wiþ-oute doute, To his weuede þen wol he loute, Þe soþe is nouȝt to leyn; Seþþe he stondeþ vp-riht, His hondes heueþ vppon hiht Him-self for to sayn, Þenne he torneþ him to ȝow. Cristene men, herkeneþ now And preyeþ wiþ al ȝor mayn . . . . .(Prayer omitted.) Þen he biginnes his secre; Adoun þenne knele ȝe A luyte while way, Til þat he seþ per omnia, And seþþe Sursum corda.cf. Mass-Book, v. 306-7. What is þat to say? Hit is a nedful note to nemen: "Hef vp ȝor hertes in to heuen To him þat al mihtes may." Seþþe schul ȝe þonke him þus Of bodi and soule has ȝiuen vs, And þus-maner schul ȝe pray . . . . .(Prayer omitted.) cf. Mass-Book, v. 314-326. Lustneþ alle to þis þing. Bi-twene þe sanctus and þe sakeryng Ȝe schal preye stondynge— Hit semes wel in þat whyle Þat god in his Exyle In þis world was wonynge. Seþþe schul ȝe knele a-doun And þenke vppon his passioun Þat he hedde heer suffrande, Hou þat he suffrede woundes fyue, And seþþe he ros from deþe to lyue And nou has heuene in hande. Ȝit schul ȝe preye for eny þing Bi-twene þe sanctus and þe sakeryng Til þat þe belle knelle.The Mass-Book, v. 336-397, contains the prayer. Ȝif eny mon haþ scorn to here hit, Be my trouþe, wisdam weore hit Þat he heolde him stille; Þe same mon ȝe lauȝwhe to scorn Was of a Mayden in Bethleem born, Me þinke ȝe don ful ille. Whose has hoker gas hame; To telle hit ȝou me þinkes no schame, I preue hit bi a Bille. Godes fflesch he reiseth o lofte And his blod feir and softe In þe chalis wiþ-Inne: Þen schul ȝe knele a-doun And sey a luyte orisoun,cf. Mass-Book, v. 428-436. ffor no þing þat ȝe blynne. God þat on þe Rode was slon, Þo two and he beoþ boþe on, Þat dyed for al monnes synne. After þe prest his Armes spredeþ he, In toknynge he dyed vppon þe tre ffor me and al mon-kunne. Whon þe pater noster is don, To þe Agnus dei he goþ ful son— Herkneþ hende in halle— "Godes lomb" hit is to sei, "Þis worldes sinne to don a-weycf. Mass-Book, v. 516 ff. And haue merci on vs alle. Þe same lomb hit is to minne, To don a-wei þis worldes synne, To þe we crie and calle, Ihesu, for þi miht and grace A-bate vr synnes In vch a place, Þi pes mot on vs falle." Whon he haþ vsed, he walkeþ riht To Lauatorie þer hit is diht, ffor to wassche his hende. So gostly he comes a-geyn, Vn-to god for to preyen Sum special grace hym sende, ffor al þe folk þat þer wore Whuch þat he haþ preyed fore Þat a Masse may mende. Þen to knele hit is best, Til hit cum to Ite Missa est Be seid in to þe ende. Þenne schul ȝe knele a-doun And sei a luytel Orisoun Riht on þis Maneere— Þe Orisoun is of seynt Ambrose, Þat he properly in prose Made in his preyere; Þen to preye is ful good tyme. I con not wonder wel ryme On latin ȝou to lere, But noþeles I wol assay As neiȝ þe text as euer I may— Herkne and ȝe may heere. "God þat diȝed vppon þe tre, Þat þe prest receyuede bodile Vppon þe Auter-ston, Graunt vs grace, whon we hennes go, Þat we may worþily don al so, In vre concience al-on. After vr dedes & we be demed, ffrom his blisse we schal be flemed, Out of þat worþli won. God graunt vs grace In wille & word We may be worþi to his bord, Vr lord leue vs þat lon." Ȝit prei vr ladi, as I ow telle, Þat ȝe forȝete not þe god-spelle, ffor no þing þat may bi-falle; Tac a good entent þer-to: Hit is þe In principio On latin þat men calle. A ȝer and fourti dayes atte lest ffor verbum caro factum est To pardoun haue ȝe schalle; Mon or wommon schul haue þis Þat kneles doun þe eorþe to kis— ffor-þi þenk on hit alle! Now haue I endet so as is Þe Maner and þe Mede of þe Mes, Þerof I am ful bliþe, Ne more þerof to mele wiþ mouþe, I haue seid as I couþe, I þonke god fele siþe. Of my trauayle is me nouȝt; Wolde ȝe þenke hit in ȝor þouȝt And in þe chirche hit kiþe, Þen were hit lykynge of ȝor mynde, And gret cumfort to al Monkynde, Hose wol lusten and lyþe. Ȝit is þer þreo þinges on þe Bok, Sikerly þat I out tok And neuer dar make in Mynde; Hit was wel þouȝt at my likynge I ches hit out bi heuene-kynge, Þe toþer is ȝit bi-hynde. But better þing þen I haue told, Herde ȝe neuere of ȝong ne old, On ground þat men may fynde; Saue fyue wordes, wiþ-outen drede, Þat no mon but a prest schulde rede Is comen of cristen kynde. God þat dyȝed vppon þe Roode, Þat bouȝt vs wiþ his blessed blode Vp-on þe harde tre, Ȝiue vs grace, boþe more and lasse, Þorw þe vertu of þe Masse Vr soules mai saued be. ffader & Sone and Holigost, As þou art lord of mihtes most And sittes In Trinite, Whon we schal dye, no lengor dwelle, Kep vs from þe pyne of helle, AMEN ffor charite.Then follows, fol. 303, Þe guldene trental—Pope Gregory's, p. 260-7 above—repeated, with quite the same text. [XLVIII. Savings of St. Bernard: Man's three foes.]Title in Index: Þat a man had þre enemys. The same poem is extant in MS. Laud 108 (together with the Vision of St. Paul), ed. by me in Herrig's Archiv 1874, and MS. Harl. 2253, fol. 106, ed. in Wright, Spec. of lyric poetry, p. 101. Her telleȝ seynt Bernard Mon haþ þreo enemys hard. Seint Bernard seiþ in his Bok Þat Mon is worm & wormes Cok, And wormes he schal feden; Whon his lyf is him bi-reued, In his Rug and in his heued Wol foule wormes breden. Þe fflesch schal melten from þe bon, Þe Senewes sundren euerichon, Þe Bodi schal de-fyen; And ȝe þat wolen þe soþe sen, Vnder þe graues þer þey ben, And lokeþ hou þei lyȝen. ÞI fflesch fiȝteþ aȝeyn þi gost. Whon þou schalt dyen þou hit nost, Wheþer day or niht; Woltou niltou, þou schalt dyȝen, Ne may no Raunsoun þe for-buyȝen— Þou greiþ þe whil þou miht! Mon, þou art of feble fom, Þow ne hast her no siker hom, Ȝif þow bi-seo þe ariht; Vre riht wonynge were elles-where. Lord let vs comen þere ffor his muchele miht. Of feble froþ, Mon, is þi lyf, Whon deþ draweþ his kene knyf, I rede þat þou þe schryue; ffor ȝif þou be-seo þi-self a-riht, ffinstou not her but flit & fiht, Whiles þou art in þis lyue. Vnstable is þi lyf I-diht, Nou art þou heuy, nou artou liht, Sturtynde as a Ro; Nou þou richest, & now þou porest, Nou art þou sek, now þou rekeuerest, In wandreþ and In wo. Þi fflesch seiþ Niht and day "I wole haue ese while I may," Þi soule seiþ "nay, Ac ȝif þou bere hit to muchel meþ, Hit wol þe worchen soule deþ And wo þat la[s]teþ ay." Þus striueþ euer more þei two, Þat on eggeþ to, þat oþur fro, Ne conne þei neuer blynne; Ac, wel we mowen vs-seluen i-sen, Þe soule ouȝte Maister ben Al þe pris for to wynne. Mon, I rede þat þou be wys, And ȝif þou falle, sone arys, Ne ligge þou none stounde. ffor ȝif þou worche wel wiþ þis, Þe godspel seiþ, and soþ hit is, Þat þou hast blisse I-founde. Mon, beo nouȝt þi-self vn-couþ, Ac loke what comeþ out at þi Mouþ And elles-wher a-bouten; And ȝif þou nyme rihtliche keep, ffyndest þou non so vyl donge-hep, Wiþ-Innen no wiþ-owten. Ac þou hast in þat vyle hous A þing þat is ful precious, And dere it was I-bouht; Ac I þe holde for wylde and wood, Ȝif þou ȝiue so muchel good To þe ffeond for nouht. Mon, þou hast þreo luþer fon, Heore nomes con I wel vchon Ȝif I schal touchen alle: Þyn oune flesch, þe world, þe fend. Ac he þat schulde best be þi frend Doþ þe raþest to falle, And þat is þi flesch, þi furste fo, Þat þou pamprest and seruest so, Ȝif ich hit dorste seyen. Þou dost þi soule muche wrong, Whon þou makest his fo so strong To fihten him aȝeyn. From here MS. Vernon differs from the other MSS.Of þe furste fo so fel Muche wonder hit is to tel, Hose schulde riht be-gynne: Þat such a foul stinkynde sek Haþ such a burþen in his nek Of serwe and of synne. Þis Careyn þat þou berest a-bouten, So vyl wiþ-Innen and wiþ-outen, A luytel wormes mete; Euer þe bet þat þou him do, Siker be þou, euer-mo Þe worse he wol þe gete. And ȝif þou þenke her-vppon Hou vyl a vessel hit is on, ffor al þe metes and drynkes, Hou hit schal foulore smelle & smake Þen eny careyne þat is forsake Of best þat breþe stinkes. ffor hose bi-heolde þi bodi ariht After þi deþ a fourtene niht, Neore he þi frend neuer so good, Þat he nolde hiȝen him away And þynken seuen ȝer of a day Þat he bi þe stod.— Þyn oþer fo Is a wonder þing, Þis world, wiþ diuerse fondyng Tempteþ þe more & more; ffals hit is and feir hit semeþ, And whon hit aller best þe qwemeþ, Hit greueþ þe ful sore. Þis ffo haþ so ablendet þe Þat þou miȝt nouȝt bi-fore þe se How vyl þou art and pore, Hou bare in to þis world þou come, Ne hou bare þou wendest home In to þi puttes ore. He scheweþ þe wele & worldes wynne And dilyces so mony kinne, And eggeþ þe þer-to; He reueþ þe mony a nihtes rest. fforsake schuldestou such a gest Þat þe con seruen so. ffor whon þou hast gedred al þi pride, Comeþ deþ on þat oþer syde And reueþ þe al I-feere. And whon he haþ þe doun I-cast, He wol deceyuen þe atte last, As hit þin neuer nere. Ac to þi put he wol þe leden, And leue þe þere wormes to feden— Loke whuch a seruise! He serueþ þe of & of no more; Þat al þi lyue lustnest his lore, He quyteþ þe on þis wyse. And riȝt so schaltou go þi wey Naked and bare—weylawey! Wrecche, hou hastou sped! And ȝif þou haue eny good wrouȝt In word, in werk or in þouȝt, Þat berest þou to þi bed. ÞE þridde fo, I may þe telle, Þat is þe foule fend of helle, Þe worste fo of alle. Vnderstonde, he loueþ þe nouȝt, He wol chaungen al þi þouȝt And maken þe foule to falle. Vnderstonde, he nolde þe no good, He wolde marren al þi mood— Þow war þe from his hok! And ȝif þou do as I þe seye, Al his wrenches miht þou leye Al mid his oune crok.* Ȝif þe fend þorw his fondyng Or for defaute of wiþ-stondyng In eny synne haþ þe cast, A-Rys vp as a Champioun, Stond stif and fal no more a-doun ffor such a wyndes blast. Þow go In to þe feire feld And tak vr lord to þi scheld, Þin hond þou strecche and fonde, And þenk vppon him wiþ mylde mod Þat for þe ȝaf his herte-blod And get þat lyflich londe. Þow take þe crois to þi staf And þenk on him þat þeron ȝaf His lyf þat was so lef; Wite wel þi fot wiþ staues ord And mak þe traytur speke þe word And wrek þe on þat þef. ffiht faste for þyn owne riht And get þe heuene-blisse briht, While þou hast tyme þer-to; Þin owne heritage hit is, And þerof schaltou neuer mis But ȝif þou hit fordo. Ac ȝif þow haue wel in muynde Hou feble þat þou art of kuynde, And hou þou gost to nouȝt, Hit mihte wel þin herte whetten And of fflesches lustes letten, Weore þou wel bi-þouȝt. Where ben heo þat bi-foren vs weren, Þat houndes ladden & haukes beeren And hedden feld and wode; Þis Riche ladys in heore bour, Þat wereden gold in heore tressour, Wiþ heore brihte rode? Þei eeten and dronken & maden hem glad, In Ioye was al heore lyf I-lad, Men knelede hem bi-foren: Þei beren hem here so stout and hiȝe, Ac in twynklyng of an eiȝe Heore soules were for-loren. Wher is þat gomen and þat song, Þat traylyng & þat comelich ȝong, Þo haukes and þe houndes? Al þat Ioye is went a-wey, Heore weole is comen to weilawei, To monye harde stoundes. Heore paradys þei hedden hyr,r. her And now þei liggen in helle-fyr,r. fer Þer pit and peyne is euere; Strong is þere in peyne and wo, Ac hopen þar hem neuer-mo, ffor out ne comen þei neuere. Allas, þat þei euere were boren or bred Þat heer on eorþe such lyf han led And deserued such meedes, To brennen in þe fuir of helle, Euer-more þer-Inne to dwelle And glowen in þo gledes! Ac Moder & Mayden, heuene-Qween, As we hopen þat þou wol ben Vr warant from þe fende: Þou help vs dedly synne to fleen, And þat we mote þi sone seen World wiþ-outen ende. AMEN.Then follows 'Kyng of Thars,' ed., with MS. Auchinl., in Engl. Stud. MS. Laud 108, fol. 198 a. HErkniez me a luytel þrowe, Ȝe þat wollez ou-self i-knowe, Wise þei ȝe beo: Ichulle ou telle, ase ich can, Ȝwat holie writ spekz of Man, Ȝif ȝe wullez i-heore me. Seint bernard seith in his bok Þat man is worm and wormes cok, For he schal wormes fede; Ȝwan his lijf him is bi-reued, In his rug and in his heued Schullen grisliche wormes brede. Þi fleschs schal melte fram þe bon, Þi senues sundriez euerech-on, Þi bodi schal al to-sie. Ȝe þat wollez þe soþe i-seo, Vndoz þe burieles þare hi beoz, And lokiez ȝwat þare lie. Man, þu art a feble fom; Here nast þou no siker hom, I segge it þe wel stille. Þi riȝhte hom is elles-ȝwer— Ihesus us graunti to come þer, Ȝwan it is his wille. Þi flesch stant a-ȝein þi gost; Ȝwanne þu schalt deiȝe, þu it nost, Noþur day ne nyȝht. Nedescostes þou most deiȝe, Ne may no raunchoun þe fur-buye— Striue þe ȝwile þou miȝht! Of feble wynd, man, is þi lijf, Ȝwanne dez drawez is scharpe knyf, Þou do þe sone to schriue; For, ȝif þat þou canst loken ariȝht, Ne hast þou here bote fiȝht, Þe ȝwile þou ar aliue. Nov þu art wrong, nov þu art ryȝht, Nou þou art heuy, nou þu art lyȝht, Þou lepest also a ro; Nov þu art sik, nou þou art coueret, Nov þou art riche, nou þu art pouere— Ne is þis muche wo? Þi flesch þe seith boþe niȝht and day: "Ichulle habbe ayse þe ȝwile i may." Þi soule seith a-ȝein him "nay! Ȝif ich am aȝein þe of muche meth, Þou bringust me to helle to þe deth, And to wo þat lastez ay." Þus it farez bi-twene heom to, Þat on seith "let," þat oþur seith "do," Ne connen huy neuere blinne. Ake wel ȝe mouwen ov-self i-seo: Þe soule ouȝhte maister to beo, Þe maistrie for to winne. A, man, ne beo nouȝht þi-sulf vnkouth, Loke ȝwat comez out of þi mouth, And elles-ȝware with-oute. Ȝif þou wolt nime wel guod kepe, Þou ne findest bote a foul doung hepe, Þei þou loke þe al a-boute. Man, þu hast in þi foule hous A deoreworþe þing and precious, And ful deore it was a-bouȝht. Ich holde þe more þane wod, Ȝif [þou] letest so muche guod Þe feond habbe al for nouȝht. Man, beo þou i-war and eke wys: Ȝif þou doun fallest, sone aris, Ne lie þou none stounde. With al þi miȝht ȝif þou dost þis, Þi soule þe seyth, and soth it is, Þat blisse þou hast i-founde. Man, þou hauest þreo wicke fon. Heore names i can nemme echon, Ȝif ich schal tellen hem alle: Þin owene flechs, þe world, þe feond. And he þat best scholde beo þi freond, Maketh þe raþest doun falle. Þou cloþest him with fair[e] schroud, Þou makest þi fo fat and proud, To fyȝhte þe a-ȝein; Þou dost þi-sulf wel muche wronk: Þou makest þi fo fat and strong, Ȝif ich it dorste seyen. Man, do þu bi conseil and bi red And with-drauȝ þou him of is bred, And watur ȝif him to drinke; Ne lat him no-þing Idel gon, Ake do him pines mani on, And ofte forto swynke. To coueitise of mani þing Þe world þe drawez a misliking; A-ȝeynes þe more and more. Fals he is and fayr he semez; Alre best ȝwane he þe quemez, He þe bindez sore. Þou wost þis world schal gon to nouȝht; Ne hast þou no þing hidere i-brouȝht, Ne nouȝht ne schalt bere with þe. Þou schalt al one gon þi wey, With-outen stede and palefrey, With-oute gold and feo. Þi þridde fo is þe foule wiȝht, Þat fondeth boþe day and nyȝht With his guyles alle. Wel þou wost he ne louez þe nouȝht, He fondez ay to chaungen þi þouȝht, And makez þe forto falle. Þou wost wel he nele þe no guod, He wolde hauen þin herte-blod— Beo iwar of his hok! Ake do ase ich þe habbe i-seid, And þine þreo fon worþez a-leyd With heore owene Crok.* Ȝif þu seist "þis spel is hard, I ne may nouȝht holde þis foreward, Holde ne wel it driȝe," A luytel þing ich axi þe— Þou seie it me par charite— Þat þou me nouȝht ne lye! Ȝware beoth nou þei þat bi-fore us weren, Þat houndes ladden and hauekes beren And hadden field and wode? Þis riche leuedies in heore bour, Þet wereden gold on heore tressour, With heore briȝhte rode? Huy eten and dronken and maden hem glad, Here lyf was al in Ioye a-lad, Men knevleden hem bi-fore; Huy beren heom here so swiþe heyȝe Þat þoruȝ twinklingues of heore eyȝen Heore soules beon alle for-lore. Ȝware beoz þulke þat couþen so wel With vnriȝhte and wrongliche echdel Winne rentes and londes, And nolden nouȝht here beon aknowe Þat it was unriȝhtfulliche heore owe, For þe worldes schonde? Þulke þat deiden on vrþe here And wonnen ouȝht in swuch manere, Londes oþur rente, For soþe i segge it eou to-wisse, Huy ne comiez neuere in heuene|b[l]isse, Ake in helle huy schullen stunte. Þei huy ligge sike longue And in heore dez-bedde þienchez "mid wronge To þulke þing we come," Fain huy wolden, hadden huy space, Ake manie nabbez þer-to no grace, To ȝelden a-ȝein eft-sone. Þare seith þe bok a-pliȝht Þat eorl ne baroun cler[c] ne knyȝht, Bacheler ne sweyn, Noþing ne mouwe huy with onriȝht. In þis manere habbe no wiȝht, Bote huy it ȝelden aȝein. Ȝware is þis hoppingue and þis song, Þis ridingue and þis proute ȝong, Þis hauekes and þis houndes? Al þat weole is went awey; Þat Joyȝe is come to weilawey, And to mani harde stoundes. Þole þou, man, ȝif þat þou miȝht, A luyte pine þat man þe bit; With-drauȝh þine ayses ofte. Þei þine pines þe þinchen on-lede, Þou þench opon þe muchele mede: Hit schal þe liken softe. Ȝif þe feond, þat foule þing, With wicke roun oþur vuel egging Hauez þe ene a-kast, Op stond and beo guod Chaumpiun, And ne fal þou non more a-doun For a luytel blast. Þou tak þe rode to þi staf, And þenk on him þat þaron ȝaf His lif þat was so leof; He ȝaf it for þe, þou ȝeld it him; A-ȝein is fo a staf þu nim And awrek him on þat þeof! Marie, moder, houene-quen, Þou canst, and miȝht, and owest to ben Ore help aȝein þe feonde: Help us sunnes forto fleon, Þat we moten þi sone i-seon In Joye with-outen ende. Amen. MS. Harl. 2253, fol. 106 a. Lustneþ alle a lutel þrowe, Ȝe þat wolleþ ou-selue y-knowe, Vnwys þah y be: Ichulle telle ou ase y con Hou holy wryt spekeþ of mon— Herkneþ nou to me. Þe holy mon sayþ in is bok Þat mon is worm & wormes kok, Ant wormes he shal vede; When is lif is hym by-reued, In is rug & in ys heued He shal foule wormes brede. Þe fleyhs shal rotie from þe bon, Þe senewes vntuen eueruchon, Þe body shal to-fye. Ȝe þat wolleþ þat soþe y-suen, Vnder grases, þer hue buen, By-holdeþ whet þer lye. Mon is mad of feble fom, Ne haþ he no syker hom To stunte alle-wey stille; Ys ryhte stude is elles-wher— Ihesu, bring vs alle þer, Ȝef hit be þy wille. Þe fleysh stont aȝeyn þe gost When þou shalt deȝe, ner þou nost, Nouþer day ne nyht; On stede ne sitte þou ner so heȝe, Ȝet a-last þou shalt deȝe— Greyþ þe whil þou myht. In false wonyng is monnes lyf, When deþ draweþ is sharpe knyf, Do þe sone to shryue; ffor ȝef þou const loke a-riht, Nast þou noþyng bote fyght Whil þou art a-lyue. Nou þou hast wrong, & nou ryht, Nou þou art heuy & nou lyht, Þou lepest ase a roo; Nou þou art sekest & nou holest, Nou þou art rychest & nou porest— Nis þis muche woo? Þy fleysh ne swy[n]keþ nyht ne day, Hit wol han eyse whil hit may, Ant þe soule sayþ: 'nay, Ȝef ich þe buere to muche meþ, Þou wolt me bringe to helle-deþ, Ant wo þat lasteþ ay." Þus hit geþ bi-tuene hem tuo, Þat on saiþ "let," þat oþer seyþ "do." Ne wune hue nout lynne;" Wel we mowe alle y-se Þe soule shulde maister be, Þe pris forte wynne. Ne be þe nout þi fleysh vncouþ, Loke whet comeþ out of þy mouþ, And elles-wher wyþ-oute; Ȝef þou nymest wel god keep, Ne fyndest þou non so fyl dung-heep, Ant þou loke a-boute. Nou þou hast in þat foul hous A þyng þat is ful precious, fful duere hit ys a-boht; Icholde þe ful wilde & wod, Ȝef þou lesest so muche god, And ȝeuest hit for noht. Mon, be war & eke wis Ȝef þou fallest, sone a-rys, Ne by þou none stounde; Wiþ al þi myhte þou do þis, Þy soule sihþ, & soþ hit ys Blysse ichaue y-founde. Mon, þou hauest wicked fon, Þe alre-worst is þat on (!), Here nomes y shal telle; Þyn oune fleysh þy worst is fend (!); Þat best shulde be þy frend, Þat most doþ þe to quelle. Þou cloþest him in feir[e] shroud, Ant makest þy fomon fat & proud, Ȝef y durste seyn; Þou dest þy-selue muche wrong, Þou makest him bo fat & strong, To fyhte þe aȝeyn. Do my counsail & my reed: Wiþ-drah hym ofte of is breed, Ant ȝef him water drynke; Ne let hym noþing ydel go, Bote pyne do hym & wo, Ant ofte let hym swynke. Coueytise of mony þyng Þe world þe bringeþ in fleish lykyng, Ant ȝeueþ þe more & more; ffals he is & feyr he semeþ, Alre-best when he þe quemeþ He byndeþ þe fol sore. Þenne shal he go to noht: Nast þou noþing hyder y-broht, Ne nout shalt buere wyþ þe; Þou shalt al one go þy wey, Wiþ-oute stede & palefrey, Wiþ-oute gold & fee. Lucifer, þat foule wyht, Þat wes him-selue so feyr & bryht, Þurh prude fel to helle; Wiþ foule wille & foul þoht He fondeþ bringe þe to noht, Ant þe forte quelle. Þench þat he þe nes nout god, He wolde haue þyn huerte-blod— War þe for his hokes! Do nou ase ichaue þe seyd, Ant alle þre shule ben a-leyd Wiþ huere foule crokes.* Ȝef þou seist "my spel ys hard," Þat þou ne miht þis foreward Holde ne dreȝe, A lutel þyng y aske þe— Sey me soþ, par charite, Þer-of þat þou ne leȝe! Wher beþ hue þat by-foren vs were, Lordes, ledyes, þat hauekes bere, Haden feld & wode? Þe ryche ledies is huere bour Þat wereden gold on huere tressour, Wiþ huere bryhte rode? Hue eten & dronken & maden huem glad, Huere lyf al wiþ ioie y-lad, Me knelede huem by-fore; Hue beren huem so swyþe heȝe, And in a twynglyng of an eȝe So hue weren for-lore. Wher bueþ hue, þy wedes longe? Þis muchele murþe, ioie, & songe? Þis hauekes & þis houndes? Al þat weole is wend a-way, Ant al is turnd to weylaway, To monye harde stoundes. Huere parais hue maden here Ant nou hue liggeþ in helle yfere, Þat fur huem berneþ euer; Stronge y-pyne & stronge in wo, Longe is ay & longe ys o, Out ne comeþ hue neuer. Ȝef þe feond, þe foule þyng, Þourh wycked werk oþer eggyng A-doun haþ þe y-cast, Vp, & be god champioun, Stond & fal no more a-doun For a lutel blast, Tac þe rode to þy staf, Ant þenke on him þat for þe ȝaf His lyf þat was so luef; He hit ȝef, þou þonke hym; Aȝeyn þy fo such staf þou nym, Ant wrek þe on þat þuef. [XLIX. Prouerbes of diuerse profetes and of poetes and of oþur seyntes.]So the title in Index. Similar collections of sayings of fam|ous men, in prose, are frequent in northern MSS. (f. i. Rawl. A, Bodl. 938). A collection, comprising all the sayings of 'Philo|sophers' under each name, is Caxton's 'Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers,' fol. (1st ed. Westm., 1477, 2nd ed. Westm., 1480?, 3rd ed. Westm., 1490?—the 1st ed. being the 1st book printed in England; it was reproduced from Christie Miller's perfect copy by W. Blades, London 1877). These were originally compiled in Latin ab. 1350, and in 1410 translated into French by Guilleaume de Tignonville, from which version Earl Rivers made the English transl. ed. by Caxton: (it contains Sayings of Sedechias, Hermes, Tac, Zalquinus, Omer, Solon, Sabyon, Ypo|cras, Pitagoras, Dyogenes, Socrates, Platon, Aristotle, Alexander Tholome, Assaron, Legmon, Anese, Sacdarge, Thesille, S. Gre|gorie, Galyen). Lord Tollemache has a varying MS of the Dictes. Cher amys, receuez de moy Vn ben present ke vous enuoy, Nunpas de or ne de Argent, Mes de bon enseignement; Ki en escripture ai troue E de latin translate En comun langage pur amis Ke de clergie ne ount a-pris. Trestut est sen e verite Ke issi trouereȝ en Romaunce. Ki ben len entent e souent list, Prou en auera e delist; Dount cely seit de dieu benet Ki sa entente bien i mest. DAUID. Inicium sapiencie timor domini. Li sages dit en soun lyuere Ke comencement de bien viuere Sour tote rien est de doter Dampne dieu e honourer. Þe wyse mon in his bok haþ þis seying Þat þe biginnyng of good liuyng Ouer alle þing is God to drede And him to worschupe wiþ al vr spede. SALOMON. In bonis sit cor tuum in diebus iuuentutis tue. Le Auctor dit ke vostre entente Deueȝ mettre en ta iuuente De touȝt pecches vous retrere, E bones heueres= oevres vser e fere. Þis Auctor seiþ verreyment Þat in þi ȝouþe þou schalt do þin entent To wiþ-drawe þe fro sinnes euer-mo, And goode werkes vse and do. Audendo crescit virtus, tardando timor. Cum plus targeþ de bien ouerer Plus serreȝ pourous de comencer; Par comencement vertu acrest, E par targer retret est. Þe lattor þou art of good worching Þe more feruol þou schalt be of bi-ginnyng; ffor þorw bi-ginnyng vertu encresceþ, And þorw latschipe hit is wiþ-drawe & ceseþ. ISAYAS. Sola vexacio dabit intellectum. En trauaile metteȝ cors e quer Pur la parole dieu oyer; Kar par parole len quert sen, E par sen se garde len. In trauayle set bodi and herte i-fere Godes word ay wel to here; ffor þorw word lernen wit men, And be wit Men kepen hem þen. SALAMON. Qui odit correpcionem insipiens erit; melius est enim a sapiente corripi quam a stulto adulari. Si vous hayeȝ de estre reprys, Ne serreȝ iammes ben a-pris; Meuȝ vaut tenson de veir disour Ke deceyte de lonsengour. Ȝif þou hate to be repreyuet auht, Schalt þou neuer be wel I-tauht; Bettre is chidyng of a soþ seyere Þen deceyuyng of a losyngere. IEREMIAS. Confessori monstra delictum. Si vous aueȝ de ren mesfet E puis defendeȝ vostre fest, Pluis est dieu de ceo greue Ke eynȝ ne fust del pecche. Ȝif þou hast don aȝeyn god auis And after defendest hit I-wis, God is more greuet of þat defendyng Þen of þe furste sungyng. IACOB. Non est hic aliud nisi domus dei & porta celi. Souent haunteȝ les mosters E la dieu prieȝ volunters; la porte de ciel oy nomer, par ou vus couent le cel entrer. Ofte to churche loke þow sterte And prei þer to god wiþ al þin herte; Þe ȝate of heuene I haue herd hit cald, Be þe wȝuche in to heuene entre þou schalt SALAMON. Vis habere imperium, impera tibi. Si vous desireȝ graunt honour, Ieo vous fray Emperour: Emperour le dey nomer Ki sei meymes set Iusticer. Ȝif þou desyre gretliche honour, I schal þe make an Emperour; An Emperour I schal him calle Þat con him-self Iustifie (!) ouer alle. NoliMS. Volo auertere faciem tuam ab vllo paupere. Si vus desireȝ de dieu la grace, De nuly poure turneþ la face, Ke dieu ne turne sa face de vous— Si dit le sage a nous tous. Ȝif þou desyre of god to haue grace, ffrom no pore mon turne þi face, Leste god turne his face from þe— Þe wise mon techeþ alle þus, parde. TOBIAS. Si multum tibi fuerit, habundanter tribue. Si poy as, poy durras, E durras mout si mout as; Si rien ne as mout durras Quaunt de doner la volunte as. Ȝif þou haue luytel, luitel ȝiue and do; Ȝif þou haue muchel, muche ȝiue also; Ȝif þou haue nouȝt, muche þou schalt ȝiue And þi wille be to ȝiue ȝif þou were I-þriue. RAPHAEL. Elemosina purgat peccata & facit inueniri vitam eternam. Bon est estre augmoners; Deuȝ bens est pur ce apparaylers: De ces pecches remissioun, E vye perdurable en guerdoun. Hit is good to don almes-dede, ffor twei godes ben ordeynt to þi mede: On is of þi sunnes remission, Þat toþur euer-lastinge lyf to þi gerdon. SENECA. Auarus nullis est bonus, in se pessimus. Mal est estre trop auers, Deuȝ mauls est pur ce aparrayles: De sa malice longe record, E peyne horible a-pres la mort. Hit is euel to ben auerous, Tweyn euel þingus þerfore ben ordeynt to vs: Long record of þat malice, And horible peyne for suche vice. SENECA. Conscienciam pocius quam famam time; nullum magis time quam te ipsum: alium effugere potes, te ipsum numquam. Plus doteȝ ta conscience Ke de nul autre la presence; Ta conscience ne eschapereȝ, Autri presence bien porreȝ. Loke þou doute more þi concience Þen oþer mennes presence; Þin oune concience maiȝt þou not skap, Oþur mennes presence þou maiȝt in hap. SENECA. Non viuas aliter in solitudine quam in foro. Vseȝ de fere priuement Cum fere voleȝ de-vaunt la gent, Ou par cas vous eschapera ffet ou dit ke mes auendra. Vse þe to do priueliche As þou wolt do to-fore men openliche, Or elles paraunter þe may askap Word or dede or sum mis hap. SENECA. Quid communicabit cacabus ad ollam. Ne vous boteȝ trop auaunt De quere greuaunce al puissaunt; Rien ne vaut au pot de tere Countre le Caudron tener guere. Put þe not to ferforþ, I rede now, To greue him þat is mihtyore þen þow; Hit nis not worþ an old Botoun An eorþene pot to fihte wiþ a Caudroun. SERAFYN. Pondus super se tollit qui diciori se socius fuerit. Ne trop ne quereȝ especiaute De homme ki est en dignete; Vos beaus presens receiuera, Si rien ne ly doneȝ il vous greuera, Si poure deueneȝ il vous mokera— De autre bounte ne espereȝ ia. Drauȝ vppon þe no specialte Of Mon þat is of gret dignite; Þi feire presentes he wole receue, Ȝif þou ȝiue nouȝt he wole þe greue, Ȝif þou waxe pore he wol skorne þe— Wayte of him neuere oþer bounte. SALOMON. Melius est vicinus iuxta quam f[r]ater procul. De vostre veisyn pres de vous Seyeȝ tendre e gelous; Kar meuȝ vaut bon veisyn Ke ne fet frere loynȝ tayn. Of þi neiȝebor þat neiȝ is to þe Be þou tendre and haue him in cherte; ffor bettre is a neiȝebore neiȝe Þen a broþur fer fro þin eiȝe. SENECA. Acceptum beneficium eterne memorie est inserendum. Ne meteȝ iammes en obly Vn bien-fet de vostre amy; En quer vus soit tut-Iours tenu Le bien ke aueȝ vne feȝ receu. ffor-ȝete þou neuere out of þi mynde A benfet don of þi frende; In herte loke þou holde stedefast Þe benfet þat þou ones hast. SERAFYN. Stude meditari, si bene velis fari. Si vne pense vous saut enquer, Ne seyeȝ pas primesauter De fere ou dyre ceke penseȝ, De-vaunt ceke vus seieȝ bien auyseȝ Ȝif in þin herte falle a þouȝt, To hasti loke þat þou be nouȝt To do oþer speke þin entent, Til þou haue take good auysement. SENECA. Ne petas quod negaturus es, Nec neges quod petiturus es. Ne prieȝ iammes a vostre amy Chose ke vous ne freȝ a ly; Ne vous ne deueȝ pas nyer,MS. vyer Ce ke est a demaunder. Prei not þi frend to bisilye Of þing þat þou woldes him denye; Ne denye þou not þat is asked þe, Ȝif hit be couenable asked to be. SENECA. Qui beneficium dare nescit in-iuste petit. Ki mout ad e rien ne doyne, Pur demaunder mot ne soyne; En demaundaunt quert hountage Ki ne fet a autres nuil auauntage. Hose haþ muche and nul not ȝiue, Ouȝt to aske he nis not þriue; In his askyng he geteþ hountage Þat to non oþur wole do auauntage. SENECA. Beneficium accipere est libertatem vendere. Cil est franc pur fere dreyt Ki doun ne present ne receyt; Ky doun receit sanȝ soun desert, Sa fraunchise vent e pert. ffreo he is to do men riht Þat ȝift ne present takeþ of no wiht; He þat ȝiftes [takeþ] wiþ-outen decert, His freodam he sulleþ & leoseþ apert. SALOMON. Multi quasi inuencionem estimant fenus et prestiterunt molestiam hijs qui se adiuuerunt; dum accipiunt manus osculantur, & in tempore redicionis loquntur verba tedij. Perneȝ garde en vostre a-prest A ky vous presteȝ queus il est; Tels se fet auant amyThus far the poem is in the Simeon MS. Ki par toun prest tei ert enemy. Quant il receyt yl beise ta meyn, Quant rendre deit tei apele vileyn, E voȝ rent pur vos ben-feȝ Vile represes alautre meȝ. Whon þou lenest þi þing, tak hede of þis To whom þou lenest and what he is; Such mon to-fore scheweþ him þi frende, Þat schal be þin enemy at þe ende; Whon he receyueþ he wol cusse þin honde, Whon he schulde paie he wol cal þe cherl bonde; He wol þe ȝelde for þi gode dede ffoul repreyuynge to þi mede. SENECA. Amici quidem graues sunt, inimici leues. Vous poyeȝ auer tel amy Ke plus vouȝ vaudreit vn enemy; De voȝ deuers lun nad cure, Lautre ne seit poynt de mesure De a-prompter ne de venir, De soiourner a soun pleiser; Dount plus vous greuera tel ameste Ke de lautre le enemiste. Such a frend þou miht haue sikerli Þat þou were bettre haue an enemy; Þat on of þi moneye haþ hede ne cure, Þat oþur naþ wiþ hym no mesure To Borwe of þe ne of ofte comyng Ne to soiourne at his likyng. Such frendschupe þe greue schal more parde Þen þat oþeres enemiȝte. SAULUS. Admone illos non litigiosos esse, set mansuetos ad omnes. Si vous aueȝ vos seruauns Ki vous sount contrariauns, Ne les tenseȝ pas souent— Seint Eglise le defent;— Mes ki ne cert a soun auenaunt, Prenge conge e vous auaunt. SAMUEL. Loquere domine quia audit seruus tuus. Mout est li seruaunt de mal escole Ki soffri ne peut la parole Soun seignour a ky il sert, Quant par sa parole rien ne pert. He is vuel worþi Cloþ or bord Þat may not suffre a luytel word Of his lord þat he serueþ to, Whon for such a word leoseþ neuur þe mo. SERAFYN. A ȝelantibus te absconde consilium. Ne moustreȝ pas tut vostre quer A vostre seruaunt; kar de leger Ky ore est prest, ert loyns de vous; Ke auaunt set vn, donke sauerunt tous. Schewe not þin herte outerliche To þi seruaunt. for-whi lihtliche To-day he is wiþ þe, to-morwe he flit; Þat tofore wuste but on, þen moni schul wit. SENECA. Quod uis esse tacitum nemini dixeris. Si vus blameȝ petit ou graunt Ki vostre conseil est mys auaunt, Ki ne blameȝ vous vostre quer, Ki vostre counseil ne set celer. Ȝif þou blame luitel or muche ffor þi counseil is outet openliche, Blame þou maiȝt þin oune herte wel, Þat couþe not hele þin oune counseil. SALOMON. Sicut sagitta in femore canis, sic verbum in corde stulti. Sete e counseil a-cordent bien En quer de fol e en quise de chen; Leun e lautre fount courte soiour, Par bouche pasent saunȝ restour. An arwe in an houndes buttoke And counseil in a foles herte istoke A-cordeþ wel, for nouþur makeþ soiourning; Þorw mouþ þei passen wiþ-outen restreyning. IOB. Noli de seruis querelam facientibus credere priusquam facti veritas aperte discernatur. Si vous oyeȝ encusement De akun de vostre gent, En quereȝ prymes la verite, De-vaunt ke en seyeȝ trop greue. Ȝif þou here eni accusacioun Of eni of þy peple in feld or toun, Enquere furst þerof þe verite Or þou þerfore in herte greue þe. AUGUSTINU[S]. Qui enim credit verba loquencium, cum ceteri per risus gaudent decorem, per doloris cruciabitur merorem. Souent auent de meynte bon fet Par medisaunȝ bestorne est; Kyke tut creyt quant-ke homme li dist, Il ert mourneȝ quant autre rist. Ofte hit falleþ þat mony good ded Wiþ euel-siggers is ouer-torned; Hose leeueþ vche monnes seying, Whon oþur lauȝwhen, he schal make murning. IEREMIAS. Erubescere nescierunt, propterea cadent inter ruentes. Si vous perdeȝ curtesye [&] bounte, Vous cheyereȝ tut en vyle hounte; Hounte, curteisye e seyntete Par a-cord sount freres iure. Ȝif þou lese curtesye and bounte To falle in foul schame hit bi-houeþ þe; Good schame, holynesse, & curtesye As Breþuren ben sworen, witterlye. SENECA. Enormiter petit qui se beneficium dedisse dicit. Vileynement quert il louer Ky sei auaunte de soun doner; Ky a prodomme doyne doun, Asseȝ receyt saunȝ autre guerdoun. In foul maner he askeþ a louwaunce Þat of his ȝifte makeþ bobaunce; Hose ȝiueþ a ȝift to a good man, I-nouh he takeþ wiþ-oute reward þan. IPOCRAS. Cui non videtur bona sua esse amplissima, miser est, quamuis sit dominus tocius mundi. Yl est bien cheytif apeleȝ Ky se pleynt e ad a-seȝ: Mes ky tut le mond fust le suen, Yl vus dirroyt ki il nust ren. A wrecche forsoþe me may hym cal Þat pleyneþ him and haþ i-nouȝ at al; ffor þouȝ al þe world were only his, He wolde seie he hedde nouȝt, i-wis. SERAFYN. Non credas inimico tuo in eternum, & si inimicus tuus uadat tibi obuiam, firma animum tuum & custodi te ab illo. Vostre enymi ne creieȝ ia De nuyl ren ke il vous dirra; Cum plus vus mostre bien sembla[n]t, Plus doteȝ le fet suaunt. Leef neuer þin enemi, ho-so hit be, Of no þing þat he spekeþ to þe; Whon he þe makeþ fe[i]rest spekyng Þen drede þou most his dedes suwyng. SENECA. ffrequencia peragit deesse locum remedio dum vicia mores sunt. Si vous byeȝ de estre prodomme, Retreeȝ vus de mal custume; Kar par custume de mes-fere Maueyse tecche comense plere. Ȝif þou caste þe good mon to be, ffrom euel custom euer drawe þe; ffor bi wone of vuel doyng Vuel tecches turneþ in to plesyng; And whon þing pleseþ þe þat þou scholdest hat, Better þe hedde ben to-fore forsaken þat. SALOMON. Honor est homini cum separat se a contencionibus, stulti autem miscentur contumelijs. Mout est honeste vileynye Estre vencu en tenserye, E mout est vileyne curteysye Empromter de ylek la Mestrye. Hit is a wel honeste vileynye In chydyng to be ouercomen, sikerlye, But hit is a vileyn curtesye Þerof to bere a-wey þe maystrie. SENECA. Cum inferiori contendere sordidum est, cum superiori furiosum. Si vous tenseȝ vostre soget, Ceo est graunt vileynye e led; Si vous tenseȝ ton cumpaynon, Par tant freȝ discencion; Si vous tenseȝ ton souereyn, Se est deuerye tut pleyn. Ȝif þat þou chyde þi soget, Hit is to þe vileynye gret; Wiþ þi felawe ȝif þou chyde, Discencion þou schalt make þat tyde; And ȝif þou chyde þi souereyn, Men mow seye þou art wod, certeyn. SERAFYN. Risus dencium & incessus hominis enunciant de illo. Seyeȝ tuȝ iours de beau semblaunt, Meȝ ne mye trop haut ryaunt; Ly fous est conu par sa rise, E ly sages par sa meurte. Loke þou euere be of feir chere, Lauhwe not to muche as nyce of geere; Þe fol is knowen bi his lauhwhing, And þe wyse bi his sad beryng. SENECA. Remedium iniurie est obliuio, ingenuitas non recipit contumeliam. Si nully fous vous sourdye, Vous ne aueȝ meyllour remedye Ke de mettre en oblyaunce Les soties de sa parlaunce; Kar si vous voleȝ mettere a uoyr Au Matin ceoke yl dist al seir, Vous procureȝ par tel espreue A vous meymes hounte neue. Ȝif a fol speke to þe vilenye, Þen is þe beste remedye ffor to forȝete alle-maner wreche Of þe folyes of his speche; ffor ȝif þou woldest hit putte to soþing Þat he seyde ouur niȝt vppon þe morwening, Þou miȝtest procure wiþ such prouyng To þi-self newe schamyng. ECCLESIASTES. Melior est canis viuus leone mortuo. Meuȝ vaut vn chyen seyn e fort Ke vn leon tut freyt mort, E meuȝ vaut pouerte od bounte Ke ne fet richesse od maueysete. Better is a quik and an hol hounde Þen a ded lyon liggyng on grounde, And better is pouert wiþ godnes Þen richesse wiþ wikkednes. SALOMON. Melius est vocari ad olera cum caritate quam ad vitulum saginatum cum odio. Meuȝ vaut potage saunȝ autre mes Od charite e od bone pes, Ke graunt delyces od tensoun— Ceo dist ly sages en sa resoun. Bettre is potage wiþ-outen oþur mes Wiþ charite and good[e] pes, Þen mony delyces wiþ chydyng— Þis is þe wyse monnes seying. ECCLESIASTES. Melius est ire ad domum luctus quam ad domum conuiuij. Meuȝ vaudreit ver homme mort Ke noble feste de Iolyf port; Le vn vus presente vostre fyn, Le autre vous fest a folye enclyn. Bettre hit were a ded mon to se Þen a feste of gret noblete; Þat on presenteþ þi laste dawe, Þat oþer þe makeþ to folye drawe. SENECA. Optimum est obliuisci quod non potest recuperari, & sine murmure pati quod non potest emendari. Graunt sen est de oblyer Chose perdu saunȝ recouerer, E de soffrer saunȝ groundiler Ceo ke vous ne poyes amender. Hit is wisdam to putte in forȝetyng Þing þat is lost wiþ-outen rekeueryng, And to suffre not grucchinde Þing þat þou maiȝt not amende. RUBEN. Puer non comparet & ego quo ibo? puer, id est inno|cencia, non comparet. Les fous se pleynent de lour estat, Ke il par tut sount greueȝ e mat; Quident bien fere de chaunger luy E par tut treuen[t] ennuy. ffoles playnen hem of here astat, Þat þei ben greuet and al mat; Hit to chaunge þei wene be wel, After is a-nuy eueridel. ECCLESIASTES. Omnis animus deponendus est, non ante placebit tibi vllus locus. Ky male tecche en ly a, Chaunger lu ne ly vaudra ia; Sa vye amende e ly vaudra En checun lu la ou il demora. Þat in him-self haþ eny chalaunge, Hit nul not profyte ofte to chaunge; Amende þi lyf & profyte hit wole wel, ffor in eueri place þen þou mayȝt dwel. SERAFYN. Non des filio nec fratri tuo potestatem super te in vita tua; nec des alijs possessionem tuam, ne forte peniteat te. Taunt cum poyeȝ aleyne trere, Ne vus demetteȝ de vostre tere, Pur vous mettre en autri garde; Meuȝ vaut ke toun fiȝ seit garde Ke vus seyeȝ en soun daunger, A ky vous solyeȝ comaunder. As longe as þou mayȝt holde in honde, Dismette þe nouȝt of þi londe To ben oþur mennes vnderlyng; Hit is better hit be in þin owne kepyng Þen to ben in his daunger Whom þou were wont bidde go fer or ner. SENECA. Non propter amorem fac tibi executorem heredem essendum nec medicum viuendum. Ne feteȝ ia pur nuyl amour De vostre heyr executour, Ne vostre heyr ficiscien, En esperaunce de viuere seyn. ffor loue ne nouþer for honour Mak not þin heir þin executour, Ne mak þin heir no ficiscian,orig. ficiscien, as on p. 538. In hope to liue euer hol man. SAMPSON. Abij in terram philistini, videns-que mulierem hanc assumpsi michi, quia placuit oculis meis. Sy vous byes femme prendre, Nest pas bon loyns enprendre, De prendre femme desconue Ne touȝt a-fermer a la premere vue. Ȝif þow þenke a wyf to take, Of ferre cuntre wommon forsake; An vnknowen to take anon-riht Is nouȝt to Aferme at þe furste siht. SALOMON. Non sis ȝelotes, hoc est dictu: non ȝeles mulierem sinus tui. Si vous aueȝ femme bele E la desireȝorig. disireȝ auer lele, Ne la reproueȝ de cumpaygnye De nul autre par gelosye; Kar vous la freȝ partaunt amer Cely ke auaunt ne voitr. vout regarder. Ȝif þou haue a feir wyf And wolt þat heo be trewe of lyf, Repreue hire for no Cumpaygnye Of no mon for gelesye; Him to loue so þou maiȝt make hire bolde On whom to-fore heo nolde be-holde. SYRAC. Qui parcit virge, odit filium; si non percusserit eum virga, morietur. Si vus ameȝ vostre enfaunt, A-seȝ ly doneȝ de verge silaunt, E ly freȝ conquere los Saunȝ de bruser en ly nul os. Ȝif þi child be not a-fert, Ȝif him i-nouh of þe ȝerd; Þou schalt him so make a good mon Wiþ-outen brekynge of eny bon. SYRAK. ffilie tibi sunt : serua corpus earum & ne ostendas hila|rem faciem ad illas. Ne mustreȝ pas especiaute A vostre file desmarie; Plus serreyt baut de mes-fere, Si eleMS. eole quidast ta grace conquere. Schewh þou nouȝt to muchel specialte To þi douȝter, ȝif heo vn-maried be, Leste heo waxe to bold of face Vuel to do in hope of grace. SALOMON. Trade filiam tuam & grande opus feceris. Si ta file mesface, vous teneȝ perdu Quant-ke aueȝ en ly despendu; Dount bone bosoygne freȝ Si par tens la marieȝ. Ȝif þi douhter falle in mis-doyng, Þen holdest þou lost al þi spendyng; A good dede þerfore hit were Be tyme for to marie hire.r. here = hire SENECA. Crudelem medicum facit intemperans. Si vous haunteȝ beueries, Vous en prendres maladyes; Retteȝ donke a vostre meyn La duresce del ficiscien. Ȝif þou be wont drynke muche wiþ-alle, In to gret seknesse þou maiȝt falle; Þou maiȝt wyte þin oune hond þen Þe hardnesse of þi ficiscien. SYRAC. Noli pro amico inimicus fieri proximo. Si veysyn autre meȝ-dit de bouche, E la chose ne vous touche, Ne vous faceȝ ia partye. . . . . Od le vn od lautre saunȝ mester, Ky par cas vus puet greuer. Ȝif þat neihȝebors to-gedere chyde And þat þing touche not þe þat tyde, Loke þou make þe no partye Wiþ on ne oþur for heore folye; ffor cuntek comeþ to acord, And þenne scholdestou be at discord Wiþ on or oþur and haue repreue Of him par cas þat mihte þe greue. SYRAC. Odia multorum sub osculo latent. Ne eyeȝ ia trop affiaunce En beleȝ paroles ne en contynaunce; Tel se profre de vous beyser Ke vous het formen[t] de quer. Loke þou haue nouȝt to gret affyaunce In feire wordes and in cuntinaunce; Such mon parauntre profreþ þe to kis Þat in herte ha[te]þer. hateþ þe, I-wis. SENECA. Odia que latuerunt panduntur si titubaueris. Ceo troueres bien: si vous cheyeȝ En angusse de aduersiteȝ, De qy vous quydeȝ auer amy, Lors vous serra fort enemy. Ȝif þou falle in aduersite, Þou schal fynde and wite, parde, Of whom þou wendest a frend haue had, Þen wole to þe be enemy sad. SALOMO Non omnemMS. omni hominem inducas in domum tuam ad secretum cordis tui. ffort serreyt a homne sey garder De touȝ ke ly sount contre quer; Pur ce ne seyeȝ trop apert De mustrer counseil a descouert. Hard hit were to mon him kepe or asterte ffrom al þing þat is aȝeynes his herte; Be þou nouȝt þerfore to redy Þi counseyl to schewe openly. SYRAC. Multi interierunt per linguas suas. Meynt homme chet en graunt damage Ke ia ne vendreit a tel ryuage Ne fust sa lange demeyne Ke ly chace a tele peyne. Mony mon falleþ in gret damage ffor of his speche he is outrage, His owne tonge he may hit wyte Þat driueþ him to such dispyte. IACOBUS. Nullus hominum linguas domare potest. Lange est norice de hounte e blame, Ke met plusours en male fame; De touȝ mals est Reyngne e dame, Kar souent honist cors e alme. Þe tonge is noryce of alle blame And mony mon putteþ in vuel fame; Of al eueles hit is queene & ladi And fordoþ boþe soule and bodi. SENECA. Quietissime viuerent homines si tollerent ista duo verba : meum et tuum. Si deuȝ mos neeȝ ne fusent, Bone pes trestous vssent; Meen e vostre, ces deuȝ mos ffount entre plusours graunt descors. Ȝif twey wordes neuer hedde be mad, Eueri mon good pes miȝt ha had; Myn and þyn, heore eiþer word Bi-twene mony men makeþ discord. AZARYAS. Non est officij tui, sed illorum qui constituti sunt ad huiuscemodi misterium.? ministerium Si vous estes en cumpaygnye Ou checun ad sa Baylye, Ne seyeȝ ia entremettour De lour offys maugre lour. Ȝif þou be in cumpaignye Wher vche mon haþ his baylye, Maugre of hem be not so nyce To entremete þe of heore offyce. IERONIMUS. ffrustra niti & nichil aliud querere nisi odium, extreme demencie est. De quere maugre sanȝ nul pru haute deuerie est tenu; Si vous ne poyeȝ ambedeuȝ fere, Le sages dist qe vous deueȝ tere. To gete þe maugre wiþ-outen prou, A wood mon I-holde be schaltou; Ȝif þou maiȝt not geten boþe at on res, Þe wyse mon biddeþ þe holde þi pes. IHESUS CRISTUS. Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis alijs, remecietur vobis; dimitt[it]e & dimittetur vobis. Si nuli mesfeȝ vous eit, E puis par autre greue seit; Si tele greuaunce bien vous plest, Pur vous abesser dieu est prest. Ȝif eny mon haþ þe misdo, And a-noþur haue greued him also: Þerof ȝif þou be proud and fayn, God wol þe meke, in certayn. SAULUS. OmnemMS. omnium filium quem recipit deus corripit & castigat. Penseȝ touȝiours ke dieu vus cleyme Pur le sen, e vous eyme, Si vous aveȝ vnMS. in greuaunce, Pur auer aylours alleggaunce. Þenk euere, god cleymeþ þe his to be, And þat for loue he visyteþ þe, Whon he þe seendeþ eny greuaunce, Elleswher hit is to haue alleggaunce. IHESUS CRISTUS. ffili, recordare quia recepisti bona in vita tua.MS. sua Touȝ Iours eyeȝ pour en quer Ke dieu vous voylle en fyn dampner Si vous aueȝ saunȝ contredist En ceste secle tut vostre delist. Eueriday ha þou in herte dredyng Leste god þe dampne at þe endyng Ȝif þow haue al þe world at wille Wiþ-oute wiþ-stondyng loud or stille. IUDYTH. Omnes qui placuerunt deo, per multas tribulaciones transierunt. E touȝ les seinȝ passeȝ sount Par dure greuaunce de ceste mound: E vous, ky estes peccheur, Quideȝ passer saunȝ nul estur? Siþen þeos seyntes ben passed euerichon Out of þis world wiþ tribulacion, Þou, þat art a sinful man, Wenest þow wiþ-outen to passen þan? NABUGODONOSOR. Contra omnes precipue qui contempserunt me egredere, nec parcet oculus tuus. Cum plus vous a-forceȝ de bien fere, De le maufe auereȝ plus forte guere; Mes len ne scet en a-saut Ki chet bas ne ky mounte haut. Þe more þou peynest þe wel to do, Þe strengor werre þe fend meueþ þe to; But in a-saut men wite not wel-neih Ho falleþ doun, ho clymbeþ an heih. LABAN. Quare abiecisti me, & me ignorante fugere voluisti? Ky se retret de vanite E ce doyne a bounte, De male gent serra mesdit, Mes a deu ert le plus parfit. Whosewhoso: see 'Hose,' l. 437. him wiþ-draweþ from vanite And ȝiueþ him-self to bounte, Euel men him wole edwyt, But to god he schal be þe more parfyt. SENECA. O quam magnum est non laudari & esse laudabilem! A bone houre fut il ne Ky est preysable e poy preyse; Cum meyns receit ici de honour, Plus ly vaudra a chef detour. In good tyme he was boren, I-wis, Þat preisable is and not preised is; Þe lasse he takeþ her of honour, Þe more parfyt is at þe chef doctour. IHESUS. Maledicam benediccionibus vestris. Icil est distr. dit malure Ky est maueys e mout preyse; De tel honour vent hountage, Ou paraler en graunt damage. He is called corsed verreyliche Þat euel is and preised is muche; Of such worschupe comeþ hountage, And also spekyng of gret damage. OLYUA. Nunquid possum deserere dulcedinem meam quam diu homines vtuntur. Homme ke ad a-seȝ dount viuere E de charge est delyuere, Merueyle est ke yl veut guerper Soun repos pur homme seruer. Þe mon þat haþ i-nouh to his liuyng And delyuered is of gret chargyng, Wonder hit is he wole forsake His rest, & to monnes seruyse him take. FICUS. Nunquid possum deserere dulcedinem meam, ut nec lingua promouear? Plus est merueyle del encloysterer, Ky taunt de douceour put enbracer, Ke desyre forayne prelacie Ke peut toler saMS. sy douce vye. Cil ke meyns vaut plus desyre Prelacye, de estre vn syre; Rien ne pense de ceo ke apent ffors soul de quere honour de gent. Hit is merueyle of þe cloysterer, Þat so gret swetnesse may fynde þer, Þat desyreþ outward prelacye Þe whuche his swete lyf mai distruye. He þat is lest worþ most wole desyre Of prelacye, to ben a syre; No þing he þenkeþ to good profyt, But honour of þe world is his delyt. AMALEK. Conduxit sibi viros inopes et vagos ad interficiendum. Par la Meynee put len conustre De quele tecches est lour dustre; Le sage tret a ly les sages, E ly volageMS. vologe les volages. Be þe ledyng a mon may knowe, i-wis, Of what tecches his leder is; Þe wyse mon draweþ to him þe wyse, And þe wilful mon toom. to monr. men of his gyse. SENECA. Quantum aleator est doctior in arte, tantum est nequior. Cil ke meuȝ scet iuer a des, ffet a preiser le meyns de aseȝ; Cum plus est sotil en cel art, Plus est tenu de mal part. He þat pleyeþ best at þe des, Preyseþ faste þe hondes of hasarderes; Þe more sotil he is of þat art, Þe more he stont on euel part. SENECA. Nocet bonis qui parcit malis. Cil ke maueys sauue de hounte, Les bone gens de bonte afrounte; Quant ly leres passe quyte, Ly leaus ad hounte, quant homme len dyte. He þat saueþ a schrewe from schame, To gode men he scheweþ blame; Whon þe þef passeþ quyt a-way, Þe trewe mon haþ schome, what-euer men sai. SENECA. Parcit pecunie qui non parcit mense. Ki sauuer veut soun doner, Corteis seit de soun manger; Ou il li [c]ustra a-seȝ plus, Si de sa table seit gelous. He may saue moneye and gete Þat wol be curteys of his mete; After gret spendyng he may wayt Þat of mete & drink is to strayt. IONAS. Qui custodit vanitates, frustra misericordiam dei querit. Ky en pecche sa vye meyne E de ben fere a ceo se peyne, La merci deu demaund en veyn, Si yl de pecche ne eit de-deyn. Hose ledeþ his lyf in sinne And of euel dedes wol not blinne, Godes merci he askeþ in veyn, But he forsake his synne, certeyn. SYRAK. Non te pigeat visitare infirmos, quia proinde dileccione dei amaberis. Ne lesseȝ pas de visiter Le malades de bon quer; Par taunt serreȝ le plus parfit En lamour douce Ihesu crist. Loke to visyte þat þou be smert Þe seke folk wiþ gode hert; Þerfore þou maiȝt be þe more parfyt In þe loue of Ihesu crist. SALOMON. Sine consilio nichil facito graue, et post factum non penitebis. Saunȝ counseil ne faceȝ ren: E a-pres le fet vous sauereȝ ben Ky bon counseil vous valut, Meske il auaunt vous desplut. Wiþ-outen counseil do no gret þing; Aftur þat dede þou schal haue good knowing Þat gode counseyl dude þe profyte, Wiþ-outen whuche þou scholdest had[= ha had] lyte. ECCLESIASTES. Per tristiciam vultus corrigitur animus delinquentis. Si parler oyeȝ le destretour, Mustreȝ semblaunt de tristour; Quaunt lautre verra ke il vous desplet, Il se retrera de parler si led. Ȝif þou herest speke a bacbitour, Contenaunce to him mak of irrour; Whon he seoþ hit likeþ not þe, Cece of his speche anon wol he. SENECA. Amicis prestabis fidem, subditis pietatem, omnibus equi|tatem. A vos amys doneȝ fey, A tote gent dreyture en sey, plyaunce a vos souereyns, E mesure a vos vileyns. To þi frendes tak þou credence, Do vche mon riht be concience, Be meke to hym þat aboue þe is set, And haue mesure to þi soget. SENECA. Priusquam promittas delibera, ut quod promiseris facias. De-vaunt ke vus prometteȝ ren, Si fere le voleȝ auiseȝ vous bien; Kar mout promettere e ren doner ffet meynt homme a chalanger. Or þou bi-hote enydel, Wher þou wolt do so, bi-þenk þe wel; ffor muche to bi-hote & ȝiue but softe, Makeþ mon to be chalanged ofte. SENECA. Qui cito dat, mutuum recipit. Meynt homme tent de greinour fes Vn petit doun saunȝ promes, Ke grant chose, quaunt il le prent A-pres promes de long atent. Mon holdeþ a luite ȝift more dere Wiþ-outen be-heste wiþ gode chere, Þen he wolde of a gret þinge Of bi-heste wiþ long tariinge. SALOMON. In multiloquio non deest peccatum; qui custodit linguam suam custodit animam suam. En mout desparoles sourt folye; Ky gard sa lange gard sa vye; Ky sa lange ne scet tener, En cumpaygnye se fet hayer. Muche speche nis not wiþ-outen strif; Hose kepeþ his tonge kepeþ his lyf; He þat his tonge con not holde, In cumpaygnye a schrewe is tolde. GREGORIUS. Cum venter reficitur, lingua relaxabitur. Large table e plentiuouse Norist Iangle sourfetouse; Quaunt la cors ben refest est, De mesparler la lange est prest. Large table and plentyuouse Makeþ men of Ianglyng surfetouse; Whon þe bodi I-fuld is, Þe tonge is redi to speke amis. SALOMON. Stultus si tacuerit, sapiens erit. Si vn fol ne parlat ren, Len quideroyt ke il scet graunt ben; Mes quant il comence a Iangler, Arere tourne il cel quider. A fol ȝif he speke no þing, Men wene he beo wys in doyng; Whon he bi-gynneþ to Iangle fast, Þen men knowen wel his cast. SENECA. Anus cum nubit, morti delicias facit. Quant femme se marie en graunt age, A soun estat fet hountage, E soun cors ad oblyge ffere vn present a pecche. An old wommon þat takeþ hosebonde, Heo worcheþ hir-self schome and schonde To hire a-stat, & hire bodi bounde is wiþ-Inne A present for to bere to synne. SYRAK. Quanto maior es humilia te in omnibus, et coram deo inuenies graciam. Cum plus vous senteȝ meuȝ valer Plus vous deueȝ humilier;MS. humilieȝ E cum plus vous humilieȝ Vostre bounte plus enhauceȝ. Þe herre of stat þat þou be Þe more meke haue þou þe; Þe more þou hast of mekenesse Þe fastore þou encresest of goodnesse. SENECA. Miserum te iudico qui nunquam fuisti miser. Cyl est cheitifs a droyt nome Ke vnke ne soffri cheytiuete; Ia ne vendreȝ a bon los Si vous ne perdeȝ souent repos. A Caytif forsoþe he i-called may be Þat neuer soffred caytyfte; Good los neuer þou gest But ȝif þou leose oftesyþe þi rest. SAULUS. Ad magna premia non poteris venire nisi per magnos labores. Repos e los, cum il me semble, Ne a-cordent pas bien en-semble; Ou yl vous couent perdre los Ou souent lesser vostre repos. Gret los & reste, me þinkeþ wel, A-corden to-gedere neuer a del; Oþur þou most þi loos lese Or ofte-tymen for-go þyn ese. IOSEPH. Cum dixit mulier: dormi mecum; qui non adquiescens relicto pallio fugit. Ne entreȝ iammes sanȝ cumpaygnye Ou femme est soule de male vye; Si vous ne a-cordeȝ a sa luxure, Ele vous mettra la rage sure. Entre þou neuere wiþ-outen conpaygnie Þer wommon al-one is of vilenye; ffor ȝif þow parfourne not lecherye, On þe heo wol þenne sette a crie. SENECA. Laus & lasciuia non habent concordiam. Envye destruit bone vye, E los est perdu par lecherie; Lecherie & bon los Ne serrount Iammes ensemble clos. Envye good lyf wol distruye, And loos is lost þorw lecherye; Lecherye and good loos Ne mowe not euere to-geder be clos. SENECA. Miserrima est fortuna que caret inimico. Dure cheaunce vent a cely Ky est de tut sanȝ enemy; Kar si eust grace de byen vyuere, De enemiste ne serroyt delyuere. Harde chaunce is hym be-fal Þat haþ non enemy at al; ffor ȝif grace of good lyf hedde he, He nere not dilyuered of enemyte. SENECA. P[r]incipium discordie est ex com[m]u[n]i suum facere. Enchesun est de bon acord Quant checun se paye de soun sort; Induccion est a discord A-proprier comoune atort. Þe cause of acord is, god hit wot, Whon vche mon is payed of his lot; But of discord þe cause nou is Whon mon wol make comun þing his. SALOMON. Melior est vir paciens viro forti, et qui dominatur animo suo expugnatore vrbium. Meuȝ vaut celi ky fet destresse A ly meymes en hastiuesse, Ke cely ky peut conquere Tut vn pays par force de guere. He is more worþ þat con distresse Him-self, and refreyne in hastinesse, Þen he þat may fulli conquerre Al a cuntre bi strengþe of werre. CONSTANTINUS. Vicisse naciones est virtus populorum, vincere autem vicia est virtusMS. est v. est morum. Ky tere ou cite en guere prent, Par force le fest de sa gent; Mes cyl qui amestrie soun quer demeyne, Soul deit auer los souereyne. Sages est tenu ky scet fere mal, Sen ne symplesse ne ount poynt degal: La meyn senestre est mys a destre, E tort en dreyt pur gayn a crestre. He þat bi werre takeþ lond or cite, Be strengþe of his peple þat doþ he; But he þat haþ maystred his owne herte clos, He haþ onliche a souereyn los. He þat con euel is holde wys and worþ, Symplesse & wit ne mowe not forþ; Þe lufthalf is put vppon þe riht, And wrong for wynnyng ouur riȝt haþ miht. SYRAC. Melior est vir simplex in simplicitate sua ambulans, quam diues in vijs prauis. Meuȝ vaut folye de symplesse, Ou nule cautele le alme blesse, Ke les grauns senȝ de cest mound, Ky la lei deu souent defount. Better is folye þat falleþ of symplesse, Þer as cautel in soule nis more ne lesse, Þen of þis world al þe wit, ffor ofte-tyme þe lawe of god distruieþ hit. SALOMON. Qui calumpniatur pauperem ut arguaturMS. arguatur diuicias, dabit ipse diciori se & egebit. Ky fet a pours duresce ou peyne, pur encrestre ces biens demeyne, Il durra a-ceȝ plus a souereyns E de touȝ biens il auera le meyns. Hose doþ to pore duresse or peyne, To encrese his richesse, certeyne, An herre mon schal parte wiþ his riches, And of alle godes he schal haue þe les. SALOMON.Follows after the 2nd Fr. v. Omnia mea mecum sunt, Iusticia et prudencia &c. Ne quideȝ ia ke chose seit uostre Dont autres dyent cest la nost[re]; Vostre est ou mal ou ben Ke fet aueȝ, saunȝ autre rien. Trouwe þou neuere þat þing be þin Þat oþur mon seiþ 'þis is myn;' Þyn is þyn euel oþur good doyng Þat þou hast wrouȝt, wiþ-outen oþur monnus þing. SENECA. Bona mea intacta fero. Si vus aueȝ tere e meson, Ceo ne dure fors ke vne seson; Od vous irrount voȝ ben-fes, Mes la meson demert en pes. Ȝif þou haue lond, hous or yle, Þelke nul dure but a while; Wiþ þe schal go þi gode dede, Þin hous abit, wiþ-oute drede. ECCLESIASTES. Breuis oracio penetrat celum. Mout escrire e nent lyre Poy uaut, pour veyr dyre; De touȝ orisons le alme est puwe Ke par delyt sount conseuwe. Muche to write & no þing rede, Luitel is worth, wiþ-outen drede; Orisouns helpen soules of men Þat wiþ delyt conseyued hem. CATO. Legere & non intelligere est necligere. En teu manere la lettre lyseȝ Ke la sentence entendre sacheȝ; Kar nent entendre e mout lyre, Ceo dit Caton, fet a despyre. Purce voyl ieo ici lesser De plus prouerbes translater, Ke ceus ky lysent cest escrit En countre[? courte] parole eyent delyst. Lettres þou schalt rede on such manere Þat þou vnderstonde þe sentence clere; Muche to rede wiþ-outen vnderstonding, Caton seiþ hit is a dispysyng. Þerfore I wole after þis resoun Of þes prouerbes cesse of þe translacioun; ffor he þat wol rede þis wrytyng, In schorte wordes may haue lykyng. AUGUSTINUS. Qui pro alijs orat, pro se ipso laborat. Ore prieȝ tous pur le houm Ke vus presente ceste lessoun, Ke il par vostre oreisoun Vygne a bone sauuacioun. Ore deu, ky est pleyn de cen, Nous doyne bone fyn, Amen. Nou preyeþ alle wiþ deuocion ffor hym þat made þis lesson, Þat he þorw ȝoure orisoun Mouwe come to sauacion. And god, þat made alle þing, Ȝif vs alle good endyng.A. M. E. N. Amen. [Cato] [Parvus Cato] L. Her bi-ginneþ luytel Caton.The Engl. text was ed. by Goldberg, Anglia 1884, VII, p. 165 ff. It is a translation of Monk Everard's French transl., extant in MS. Arund. 292, f. 88-105, ca. 1250 (ed. by Stengel, Ausg. und Abh. d. Roman. Phil. XLVII, Marburg 1886); MS. Paris Bibl. Nat. 477 (ed. by Le Roux de Lincy, Livre des Prov. Franc., 2nd ed. 1859, II, p. 439 ff.; readings given by Stengel l. c.), and MSS. Vernon and Simeon. [Other, perhaps earlier, Fr. translations are that by Elie de Wincestre in MSS. St. John's Coll. Oxford 178, 13th cent., Corp. C. C. Cbr. 405, Harl. 4388, ed. by Stengel l. c., and that of an anonymous in MS. Harl. 4657, ed. by Stengel l. c.; cf. P. Meyer, Romania VI, 20.] Everard le moine is most likely the one mentioned by Tanner: "Everardus, Scotus, in canonicatu Kirkham (Yorkshire) socius primusque abbas Monasterii de Holme Cultram in Cumbria: scripsit Vitam S. Adam|nani lib. 1, Vit. S. Cumenei Albi lib. 1, Vit. S. Waltheni lib. I; claruit A. MCXLV; Dempster" (see, however, Wright, Biogr. Brit. II, 123 ff., who rejects this identity).—Other Engl. translations are that in MS. Arund. 168, in royal stanzas, and that ed. by Caxton: Parvus Cato, Magnus Cato (a transl. by Benedict Burgh, undertaken on behalf of Will. Bourchier, son of the Earl of Essex), 1st ed. Westminster? ante 1479? (unique in Cambr. Univ. Libr.), 2nd ed. Westm.? ante 1479? (unique at Chatsworth), 3rd ed. fol. Westm.? 1481? (The same Caxton ed. an elaborate commentary on Cato's Distichs, translated by him from the Fr. in 1483, Westm. 1484?). Almihti god in Trinite leeue vs wel to spede, Send vs of his holy grace And help vs at vr nede. Now hose wole, he may here In Englisch langage How þe wyse mon tauhte his sone, Þat was of tendere age. 1. CAtun estoyt payen E ne sauoyt rien De cristiene ley, E ne-pur-quaunt ne dist RiensMS. Biens en soun escristMS. estrist En-countre nostre fey. Catun was an heþene mon, Cristned was he nouht: In word ne in werk aȝeynes vr fey No techyng he non tauht. 2. Kar tut se encord,al. concorde E ren ne se descord, AlS A, P A la seynt escripture; Amender len porrat Cely qui vodrat Mettre [i] sa cure. To holy writ al in his bok A-cordyng was he euere; Of god of heuene com his wit, Of oþer com hit neuere. 3. Issi cum ieo quit, Del seynt espirit La grace en ly estoyt; Kar ne sen ne sauer Nul nest pur veir Ky de deu ne seyt. 4. Karal. Par len-seignement Ke danȝ Catun despent En soun fiȝ aprendre, Me semble ke il aprent Moy e tote gent, Si le volum entendre.

2 st. om.

Si oir le volez, Ver mei escutez Amiablement. Priez sanz essoine Pur auerard le moine Ki cest ouvraige enprent. Priez pur le moine Ke deu sun quer aluine De mal e de peche, E ke li doint sa grace Ke ceste chose face Selung la uerite. Þe lore þat he tauȝte his sone, Is neodful to vs alle; VnderstondMS. Vnderstonstond hose wole, ffor caas þat may be-falle. 21-8 = Fr. 5 & 6.Whon þat he sauȝ eny mon Out of rihtful weye, Hem to teche as hit was best He letted for non eiȝe, Þat þei mihte lerne and here Siker heore lyf to lede And gedre wit in heore ȝouþe And God to loue and drede.—

Cum animaduerterem quam-plurimos homines graui|ter errare in via morum, succurrendum opinioni eorum & consulendum forte existimaui,existinaui maxime ut gloriose uiuerent et honorem contingerent.

5 (7). Cum ie moy a-parceuoye plusours de la voye de mours forueyer, Auis pur voyr mestoyt ke graunt ben serroyt de eus conseyler, 6. Pur ce nomemental. memement ke gloriousement en leal. el mound vesquisent E par tel affere digneteȝ en tere E honour conquisent.

Nunc te, fili carissime, docebo quo pacto animi tui moremal. mores componas.

7. Ore, beu fiȝ trescher, Te voyl enseigner, Ke vousal. tu en seyes sage, Par quel couenaunt Tu purras eneuauntal. en auant Aorner toun corage. Deore sone, I schal þe teche Þe maners of my wille, Hou þou schat hem ordeyne And godes lawe to folfille.

Igitur mea precepta [ita] legito, vt intelligas: legere & non intelligere est negligere.

8. Pur ces enchesons, Beuȝ fiȝ, tey somons Ke tu me preceps lyceȝ; Mes nent entendre e lyre Ceo fet a despire, Si voyl ke tei en chastieȝ. Mi biddyng and my teching In herte hem vnderstonde; Ofte to here & nouȝt lerne Hit is boþe schame & schonde.

Ideoque deo supplica. parentes ama. cognatos cole.

9 (11). Deu aoreȝ,A. ameras, P. amez A ly requereȝ Dount as mester. Pere e Mere ameȝ, Vos parens honoures, E mout les eiȝes cher. Worschupe god, & him biseche Of þing þou hast mestere. ffader & Moder loue þou wel And hold hem leoue and dere.

Datum serua. foro te para.

10. Mout seit ben garde Chose ke tey est done Par deu ou par gent. Al marche quant aleȝ, Benal. Bel vous atorneȝ E enseygnement.A. acemement, P. ascemeement Keep þat þing þat þe is ȝiuen Þorw God or þorw mon. Whon þou schalt to market, A-tyre þe as þou con.

Mutuum da. cum bonis ambula.

Cui des videto. ad consilium ne accesseris antequam voceris.

11. A leaus presteȝ. Od les bons aleȝ. Sy veyeȝ a ky faceȝ douns. A counseyl ne aprocheȝ, Avaunt-ke vous seyeȝ Apeleȝ ou somouns. Lene þi good to trewe men, Þat þer-of falle no wrake. Loke þat þou go wiþ þe goode, And wikked men forsake. To hem also þou ȝiue þi þing Þerof þe wole bi-seke. Neuer to counseyl þat þou come, But ȝif þou cleped be eke.

Conuiua raro. mundus esto. Quod satis est dormi. saluta libenter.

12 (14). Relementr. Rerement gesteȝ, E chasteal. Net e ch. seieȝ. Dormeȝ aseȝ saunȝ plus. Volunters lesom. les salueȝ, Ces ke vous veyes Vener a-countre vous. Mak þi gestnyng seldene, And be chast and clene. Ȝif i-nouh with-outen more. Grete men feire by-dene.

Coniugem ama. cede maiori.

13. Ta femme par amour Ameȝ. a greynour Tut tens doneȝ lu; Kar quant nas le pouer Ke puisseȝ encountrerA. Quel pusses cuntre ester Cum il vous seyt tenu.Nest pas bel le giu. Loue þi wyf, and ȝif stude to þe grete Whon þi pouwer is lesse; And whon þou metest hem in þe wey, Þou drede of heore distresse.

Magistrum metue. vino te tempora. verecundiam serua.

14. Toun mestre chescun vre Doteȝ sy eieȝ mesure Quant beyure vyn deuras. Gardeȝ ke tu seyeȝ Hountous a la feeȝ,al. tute veies E donke ben le fras. A-Mesure þe in drynkynge; To fleo folye be snelle. Gedere wit of wyse men, And let hit wiþ þe dwelle.

Libros lege; quod legeris memento. rem tuam custodi.

15. Lyueres enliseȝA. Tes livres lirras, P. Livres lisez; E ceo ke lu auereȝ, Ne metteȝ en obly. Gardeȝ ben ta chose: Ceo est festal. Ceo faut en poy de pose Ke long tens est quili.al. cuilli Bokes lere; þat þou hast herd, And hold hem in þi þouht. Keep þi þing, & sone hit not spende In long tyme deore was bouht.

Lib[e]ros erudi. diligenciam adhibe. Blandus esto. iusiurandum serua.

16 (18). Tes enfaunȝ apren Ben sauer e sen.MS. seen Si seieȝ diligent. Seies douce e suef, E ne mye gref. Gardeȝ toun serment. Wit & wisdam, bleþeliche Þi children þat þou teche! Swere þou not but hit be soþ, ffor drede of godes wreche.

ffamiliam cura. irasci ab re noli. Neminem irriseris.MS. irasceris. meretricem fuge.

17. Ta meyne chastie, E ne seyeȝ mye Pur petist irreȝ. Ne-scharnyeȝ nulli— Ceo vous comaunt e pri.MS. epri La puteyne fueȝ. C[h]astiseMS. Castise feire þi seruauns. ffor luitel beo not wroþ. Hordam þou forsake, And scornyng be þe loþ.

In iudicium adesto; ad pretorium stato.

18. Volunters eydeȝ A tuens, quantal. A ceus ke vus p. poyes, Quant esA. uent, P. estes al Iugement; A la prouosterie Esteyes, e ne fleccheȝ mye Pur Or ne pur Argent. Bleþeliche þou hem helpe Þat stonden in Iugement; fflecche not for no bi-heste, ffor ȝifte ne for rent.

Literas disce. consultus esto.

19 (21). Par escripture Tut tens a-seure Tes diȝ e tes feȝ. E counsayl perneȝ, Nent sages enseigneȝ,A. A sages e a senez, P. Des s. e des s. Quant il tent pleȝ.A P. Quant deis tenir les (P tes) plez. Let holy writ beo þi mirour In word and eke in dede. Of wyse men tak þi counseyl, Þat con þe wisse and rede.

Bonis benefacito. virtute vtere. Tutisr. tute consule. maledicus ne esto.

20. ffetes bensal. ben a bons, E nomement a tuens. E vseȝ tes vertuȝ. Seur counsayl doneȝ. Maudyt ne seyeȝ, Ne maudieȝ nuls. Bere þe wel to alle gode men; And schrewes, forsake hem alle. Haunte gode werkes & warie not, Þat hit not on þe falle.

Troco lude; aleas fuge.

21. Si Iuer voleȝ, Al tupet iueȝ, E nent alaA. al, P. a hasard; Le tables fueȝ, Ke tenu ne seyeȝ Ne fol neA. Na fous na, P. A fol ne a musard. Tak a Toppe, ȝif þou wolt pleye, And not at þe hasardrye. ffleo þou foles in alle wyse, And vse no vileynye.

Existimacionem retine.

22. Si vous quideȝ ren De mal ou de ben Dount tu nes mye cert, Donkes fetes come sage, Le reteneȝ en toun corage, Ke ne seit descouert.[The Engl. transl. wanting.]In the MS. v. 81-4 follow here, but belong to the next proverb.

Patere legem quam ipse tuleris.

Equ[u]m iudica. nil mentire.

23 (25). Soffreȝ en dreit de tei Meymes cele ley Ke tu as done. Dreyt tut tens iuggeȝ, E rien ne menteȝ, Kar ceo ert equite.A. est hunte, P. est vice Such lawe as þou hast brouȝt And haunted hast bi-fore, Þou most hit mekely suffre, ffor winnyng or for lore.

Beneficij accepti memor esto. Pauca in conuiuioMS. comunio loquere. minime iudica.

24. Benefice ke as resceu En remembrer eieȝ deu, Pur fere en guerdon. E[n] comuneA. conuiuie, P. feste poy parleȝ. Homme pur nentA. Hume nul ne iugeȝ, Kar ce[o] est trayson.al. detrasciun Þe godnesse þat men do þe, Þou haue hit ofte in mynde; Riȝt skile hit wole eke, Or elles þou art vn-kynde.

Illud stude agere quod iustum est. pugna pro patria.

25. Taunt cum es en vye, De fere estudye Ceo ke a dreyt apent. E si tu veyes la guere, Cumbateȝ pur lar. ta tere E toun pays defent. Þenk þou euere in þi lyue Þing þat falleþ to riht. Ȝif þat Batayle come in to londe, Defende hit faste wiþ fiht.

Aliena noli concupiscere. parem pacienter vince.

26. Ne voylesor. voylles en toun quer Autri ben coueyter Pur nul auenture. Veindre e sormounterMS. e esorm. Voyleȝ uostre per Par soffraunce e mesure. Oþer mennes þing with wronge Coueyte hit nouȝt in herte. Haue mesure al of þi-self, Þat wrong þe not smerte.

Minorem ne contemseris. Noli confidere in tua fortitudine.

27 (29). Ky est meyndre de tey, Tutal. Me(s) ke seyeȝ vous rey, Vnkes ne despiseȝ. E si tu force neal. om. as, En tey ne affyeȝ pas, Ne trop ne [te] preyseȝ. Ȝif þou beo a strong mon And riche of worldes good, Dispyse þou no luytel mon, Ne hate hym in þy mod.

Nichil arbitrio uirium feceris, [Libenter amorem ferto.]MS. Noli confidere in tua fortitudine.

28. Par propre volunte Ren ne seit ouere De quant ke tu fras. Volunters e de gre Suffrez amiste Quaunt purchase le as.. . . . .[English wanting].Here endet petyt caton. [Magnus Cato] Incipit liber catonis.

Si deus est animus, nobis ut carmina dicunt, Hic tibi precipue sit pura mente colendus.

29. Si deu a cultifier Est od pure pencer, Cum dient les dyteȝ, E seit toun corage fferm en son estage, Saunz estre remueȝ. ffor god is lord of alle þing, As prophetes tellen i-mene, Þou schalt him in werk honoure, And wiþ þi þouȝtes clene.

Plus uigila semper: ne sompno deditus esto: Nam diuturna quies uicijs alimenta ministrat.

30. Tut tens gardez vous Ke tu veylez plus Ke ne prengez sompne; Kar par trop dormer Veum souent cheir En vices meynt homme. Loke þou wake more þen sleple,? slepe And god in alle þing drede; Long rest and luitel swynk To vices hit wol þe lede.

Virtutem primam esse puta compescere linguam: Proximus ille deo est qui scit racione tacere.

31. La vertu premere Ke a tey seit chere, Est lange refreyner; A deu est procheyn Ke par reson certeyn Sceet tere e parler. Kep þi tonge skilfulliche: Þe furste vertu forsoþe hit is; He is next vnto god Þat kepeþ hit wel i-wis.

Sperne repungnando tibi tu contrarius esse: Conueniet nulli qui secum desidet ipse.

32. A sey meymes nul ne seyt Contrarius en soun dreyt Ne endist ne enfance; Kar ky ke descorde a sey, Od nul autre, cum ieo crey, Ne auera concordaunce. Be not frouward to þi-self In word ne in werk: Wiþ such a mon may non acord— So telleþ þe wyse clerk.

Si uitam inspicias hominum, si denique mores, Cum culpas alios nemo sine crimine viuit.

33. Quaunt autre blameras, Tey meymes Iugeras Tut premerement; Kar nul nest ke vit, Ne graunt ne petit, Ke mout ne mesprent. Whon þou blamest oþer men, Þyn oune Iuge þou ne be! Þer nis no mon with-outen lak, As men may wel ofte i-se.

Que nocturna tenes, quamuis sint cara, relinque: Vtilitas opibus preponi tempore debet.

34. Ceo qe vous auez cher, Dount quidez enpeirer, De tey osteras; Kar il est profyt Richesse en despyt Luer deueras. Þing þat wole apeire þi stat, Beo hit þe neuer so lef, Hastiliche do hit þe fro, Or þou þole þe gref.

Constans & lenis ut res expostulat esto: Temporibus mores sapiens sine crimine mutat.

35. Red e suef seyez Solum ce ke tu veyez Cum les choses ount; Ly sages saunz blamer Ces mours fet atemprer Solum ke les choses sount. Studefast & stille þou be, As þi catel wol aske: Þe wyse mon liueþ withouten blame, ffor he con wel hym taske.

Nil temere uxori de seruis crede querenti: Sepe etenim mulier quem coniux diligit odit.

36. Ne errez folement Ta femme, quaunt souent De tes seruauns se cleyme: Kar souent eschet Ke la dame het Ceus ky ly syre eyme. Leeue not þi wyf fulliche Of þi seruans pleynande: Ofte falleþ, þe wyf hit hateþ Þat loueþ þe goode hosebande.

Cumque mones aliquem nec se uelit ipse moneri, Si tibi sit carus, noli desistere ceptis.

37. Si de ces folies A kuns chasties E il ne voyl entendre, Ne deyez pur ceo cescer, Pur quey le eyez cher, Mes plus eplus reprendre. Ȝif þou wolt chastise eny mon, Þouh he loue not þi lore; Ȝif he be dere, leue him nouȝt, But vndertake hym more.

Contra verbosos noli contendere verbis: Sermo datur multis, animi sapiencia paucis.

38. En-countre ianglour, Ke ne eyez deshonour, Ne voylles estriuer: Kar meynt homme ad iangle En vertu de sa lange, Est poy de sauer. Aȝeynes men ful of wordes Stryue þow riht nouht: Wordes is ȝiuen to alle men, And wisdam selden brouht.

Dilige sic alios ut sis tibi carus amicus; Sit bonus esto bonis ne te mala dampna sequantur.

39. Les autres issi amez Ke tu a tey meymes seyez Cheir a-mys; Si seyes bon a bons E taunt donez a tuens, Ke tey ne seyt le pys. Loue so wel oþure men, Þin oune frend þat þou be; Beo so good to alle men, Þat harm from þe fle.

Rumores fuge, ne incipias nouus auctor haberi: Nam nulli tacuisse nocet, nocet esse locutum.

40. Noueles fuez, Ke troue ne seyes Blaundour ne tenu; Tere ne nuist pas, De parler haut ou bas Mal vener ay veu. Of newe tales þou ne be ffurst makere I-founde: Wikked tales a-mong men Bringeþ loue to grounde.

Rem tibi promissam certam promittere noli: Rara fides ideo quia multi multa locuntur.

41. Chose a tey promise, A autre en nule guise Ne le promettez auaunt: En le mound y ad poy de fey, Meynt homme est dreyt en sey ffauours e blaundiaunt. Þing þat þe by-hoten is, Loke on none wyse Þat þou bi-hote hit to non oþer, ffor þer mihte strif aryse.

Cum te aliquis laudat iudex tuus esse memento: Plus alijs de te quam tu tibi credere noli.

42. Quaunt tu tey orras loyer, Iuggez en toun quer Ly quel est veir ou noun, Eia autre ne creyez De vertu ke tu eyez. Plus ke ta resoun. Ȝif men preise þe for godnesse, Þin oune herte þou tast; Leeue non bettre þen þi self, Wheþer þou þat vertu hast.

Officium alterius multis narrare memento, Atque alijs cum tu benefeceris ipse sileto:

43. A autri seruisez Voyl ke tu preysez De-uaunt tote gent; Mes quant tu bien fras, Ia nent enparleras Par moun loement. Þou maiȝt oþur mennes goodnesse Preisen wiþ-outen blame, But not þin owne be-fore men, ffor hit were but a schame.

Multorum cum facta senex & dicta recenses, ffac tibi succurrant iuuenisque feceris ipse.

44. Seiez en ta iuuente E metez vostre entente De ben dyre e fere; Kar quaunt veyllard regeies En ces fez e diz, Le tuen puissez retrere. Sun, do her in þi ȝouþe Þing þat þe mouwe helpe; Whon þou art an old mon aftur, Þerof þenne maiȝt þou ȝelpe.

Ne cures siquis tacito sermone loquatur: Conscius ipse sibi de se putat omnia dici.

45. Si homme nuil ren A vous parout ben, Ia ne eizes enui; Ky ke mauueis se sent, Il quide ke tote gent Parlent de ly. Ȝif þou seo men speke stille, A-Meoued beo þou nouȝt: Þe wikked mon weneþ þat alle men Haue him in heore þouht.

Cum fueris felixque sunt aduersa caueto: Non eodem cursu respondent (vltima) primis.

46. Taunt cum es benure, En-countre aduersyte Deuez vous eschure; Kar le comencement E le defynement Ne sount pas de vne mesure. Ȝif þou, mon, be meke and mylde, ffleo al frouward þing; Þe laste tale to þe furste Ȝif non onsweryng.

Cum dubia & fragilis sit nobis uita tributa, In mortem alterius spem tu tibi ponere noli.

47. Kant si est dotouse E freille e perilouse Vostre vye ici, Mout est graunt enfance Pur mettre sei en esperance En la mort de autri. ¶ Siþen þat vre lyf is frele Þat to vs alle is ȝiuen, In non oþur monnes deþ Hope þou nouȝt to liuen.

Exiguum munus cum det tibi pauper amicus, Accipito placide, plene laudare memento.

48 Kant vn petit doun Tei ad en baundoun De toun poure amy, Reseueȝ le bonement, E plenerement Teneȝ par tut dely. Ȝif eny of þi pore frendes Ȝiue þe a ȝift smal, Receyue þou hit bleþeliche, And þonk him feire þou schal.

Infantem nudum cum te natura creauit, Paupertatis onus pacienter ferre memento.

49. Kant en le mound venistis vif, Poure e cheytif, E nu e dolent, Le charge de pouerte, De meseyse e de pite Suffreȝ le bonement. ¶ Siþen þat kynde haþ þe formed A luytel naked chylde, Þe charge of pouert loke þou bere, And beo boþe meke & mylde.

Ne timeas illam que uite est ultima finis: Qui mortem metuit amittit gaudia uite.

50. Kant tei estut morir E a ta fyn vener, Ne deyeȝ la mort doter; Kar ky doute la mort, Ia ioye ne desport Ne put en le mound auer. ¶ Whon þou schalt nedelich ones dye And heþene awey to wende, Doute hit not, for þouȝt þer-of Mihte þe fulliche schende.

Si tibi pro meritis nemo respondet amicus, Incusare deum noli, set te ipse coerce.

51. Si nul amy en fei Ne respoygne a tey De bens ke fet li as, Ne uoylleȝ deu blamer; Tei deueȝ refrener, E ly ne blameras. ¶ Ȝif no mon onswere to þe ffor þi goddede bi nome, Wraþþe þe not þerfore wiþ god, Bote þi-seluen blame.

Ne tibi quid desit quesitis, vtere parce; Vt-que quod est serues, semper tibi deesse putato.

52. Le tuen purchas despent Esparniablement Solum ceo qe vous veyeȝ mester; E quydeȝ tote veys, Ke tu ren ne eyeȝ, Pur ben le meuȝ garder. ¶ Spene þi good mesurabliche, Purchased þauȝ þei be; And hope alle þinges þat þou hast Awey mihte falle from þe.

Quod prestare potes, ne bis promiseris vlli, Ne sis uentosus dum vis bonus esse videri.

53. Ne prometteȝ pas souent, Doneȝ mout doucement Ceo ke voleȝ doner, Kar ne seyeȝ auauntour Dount vous voylleȝ honour E los epris auer. ¶ Þing also þat þou may ȝiue, Twyes bi-hote hit nouȝt; Beo not ful of wikked wynt And leose not þi fore þouȝt.

Qui simulat verbis, nec corde est fidus amicus; Tu quoque fac simile: sic ars deluditur arte.

54. Si acuns par parler, E ne mye de quer, Se feyne toun amy, Deceyueȝ art par art, E de la tue part ffaceȝ a-taunt dely. ¶ Hose feyneþ him frend with word And not wiþ herte stable, With such a seruyse serue þou him, And telle him tale of fable.

Noli homines blando nimium sermone probare: ffistula dulce canit volucrem dum decipit auceps.

55. Ne voylles losenger Ne homme trop loer, ffors ke solum le dreit; Doucement chaunte le frestel, Quant le oysellour le oysel Trait a deceit. ¶ Preyse no mon but in his riht With no losengerye; Þe foulere chaccheþ briddes feole Wiþ swete melodye.

Cum tibi sint nati nec opes, tunc artibus illos Instrue, quo possint inopem defendere vitam.

56. Si vous ne eyes manans E aueȝ mout enfauns, ffetes les aprendre Acune menestraucie, Par vnt ke il pussent la vye de pouerte defendere. ¶ Ȝif þou haue children monye And goodes none bute smale, Sone þou hem to craft sette, Þer-wiþ to beeten heore bale.

Quod vile est, carum; quod carum, vile putato: Sic tibi nec cupidus, nec auarus nosceris vlli.

57. Dount autres vnt cherte Ceo eyeȝ en vilte, E le vil eyeȝ cher: E ia nyers blame Pur escharcete Ne pur coueyter. ¶ Þat is good chep may beo dere, And deore good chep also; Loke þou beo not coueytous Ne gredi ek þer-to.

Que culpare soles, ea tu ne feceris ipse: Turpe est doctori, cum culpa redarguit ipsum.

58. Ceo ke tu veus blamer, Ne voylleȝ pas amer Ne fere pur nul plet: Il ne auent a nuly De blamer autry De ceo ke il meymes fet. ¶ Þing þat þou art wont to blame, Loke þou do hit nouht! Schome hit is a mon to blame Þing þat he haþ wrouht.

Quod iustum est, petito, vel quod videatur honestum: Nam stultum est petere, quod possit iure negari.

59. Si fere veus requeste, Penseȝ come honeste Tu le pusseȝ fere; Kar ceo ke len pardreyt En-countre dyre deit, Ne fet pas a requere. ¶ Aske þing þat rihtful is Or honest in þi siht: ffolye hit is to aske þe good Þat is to werne wiþ riht.

Ignotum tibi tu noli preponere notis: Cognita iudicio constant[i], incognita casu.

60. Tut tens eyeȝ tu Plus priue le conou Ke le trespassaunt; Ta chose ne quereȝ Quant auer le deueȝ Purueyeȝ tei ben auaunt. ¶ Loue bettre a knowen frend Þen mon of fer cuntre: Þorw de-faute of knoweleching Þou maiȝt i-greued be.[Lines 245-8, 'Sum tyme . . . . .in riht' follow wrongly here in the MS.]

Cum dubia in certis uersetur vita periculis,[periclis, V. R.] Pro lucro tibi pone diem, [MS. qui . . . . .] quocumque laboras.

61. Quant vie est en peril En I-cest exil Ce est dolour a pert, Ki ke vnkes es en labour ffacet ke checun iour de gayner seies cert. ¶ Siþen dredful is deþ, diliueret In eorþe to al monkunne, Do þi labour eueri day Sum good forte winne.

Vincere cum possis, interdum vince ferendo;[cede sodali, V. R.] Obsequio quoniam dulces retinentur amici.

62. Quant veindre en puras, Souent len durras A toun cher cumpaynoun; Kar nyert la mort parfyt Si renes est fet ou dyt Ki de-plese a hom. ¶ Sum tyme spare þi felawe[The MS. has l. 245-8 after l. 240.] Þouȝ þou ouercome him miht; Parfyt loue is þer non Whon ȝe striue in riht.[Lines 249-252, 'To ȝeue luitel . . . . .lete,' wrongly follow here in the MS., and are also repeated in their proper place.]

Ne dubites, cum magna petas, impendere parua: Hiis etenim rebus coniungit gracia caros.

63. Ne doteȝ pas ou tu oses, Ou tu requers graunt choses Le petis doner; Kar veises amis Solum ce ke mest auis Par taunt entre amer. To ȝeue luitel, dred þe nouȝt,[See note above.] Þer þou askest grete Of þi frendes and neihebors— Þat costum wol not lete.

Litem inferre caue, cum quo tibi gracia iuncta est: Ira odium generat, concordia nutrit amorem.

64. Ne moueȝ ia toun corn En-vers toun compaynon Ne en-vers toun bien veilaunt; Kar Ire engendre haiour, E concorde amour— Gardeȝ vous partaunt. ¶ To þi felawe wel willynge Sture þou no chidynge; Wraþþe gedereþ gret hate, Loue norisscheþ sauȝtynge.

Seruorum ob culpam[Servorum culpa, V. R.] cum te dolor vrget in Iram, Ipse tibi moderare, tuis ut parcere possis.

65. Si tu pur mesfet, Ki toun seruaunt ad fet, As del Ire al quer, Tei meymes a-mesure, Ki puisset a cel houre A tuens esparnier. ¶ Ȝif serwe of gult of seruauns Wol þe bringe in care, I rede þou tempre þe so wel Þat tyme þat þou hem spare.

Quem superarepotes, interdum uince ferendo; Maxima etenim morum est[Maxima enim morum, V. R.] semper paciencia virtus.

66. Quaunt tu aueras pouer De autre sourmounter, Donke vendras par suffraunce; Kar estre pacient Est graunt a-faitement, E meynt homme auaunce. Þe mon þat þou maiȝt ouergo, Wiþ suffrance him ouercome; Meknes is vertu gret Wiþ pure riht of dome.

Conserua pocius, que sunt iam parta labore: Cum labor in dampno est, crescit mortalis egestas.

67. Ce gardeȝ sagement Ki tu nomement As conquis par labour; Quant est en perte, Donke crest mortele pouerte E anguisse e dolour. ¶ Þinges þat þou hast gederet Wiþ gret bisynesse, Wysliche þou hem spene, ffor pereles more and lesse.

Dapsilis interdum notis & carus amicis; Cum fueris felix, semper tibi proximus esto.

68. A tei conuȝ dieȝ Seieȝ a tote feeȝ Large a Mesure; Mes plus seieȝ amy A tei ke a autri, Tant cum ben tei dure.[four English lines omitted: also out of Addit. 22,283.]

[[Harl. MS. 4657]Telluris si forte u]elis cognoscere cultus, [[Harl. MS. 4657]Virgilium le]gito; quod si mage nosse laboras

69. [Si tu[Addit. 22,283,]] voles sauer, [Dois ta t]eres cultifier [Ke] ble ne fayle mye, Virgile lisetȝ, En sauer enpurreȝ A-seȝ de gramarie. ¶ Ȝif þou wolt knowe þe tilþe of eorþe, Þat þe fayle corn none, Go and red virgiles bok— Þe craft he tauȝte vchone.

Harl. MS. 4657, leaf 40 back, at foot, prefixes this spurious line: 'Humanos si forte uelis depellere morbos;' but MS. Harl. 116, leaf 106 back, of B. Burgh's Cato, has, rightly, only the one line of the text above. Herbarum vires, Macer tibi carmine dicet.

70. Si vous voleȝ ffisicien Estre e sauer bien Doner les medicines, Macer, ke ne ment, Les grauns vertues aprent De herbes ede Racynes. Ȝif þou wolt ben a ffisicien, ffor vueles to ȝiuen bote, Macer þe strengþe of grases telles, Boþe of crop and Rote.

Si roma[na] cupis & punica noscere bella, Lucanum queras, qui martis prelia dicet.[dixit, V. R.]

71. Si voil ke tu ne fayles, De sauer les batayles De Aufrike e de Rome, Lucan aperneȝ, Kar i-leok troueres De Batayle la somme. Ȝif þou wolt knowe þe Batayle Of Aufrik or of Rome, Red a Bok þat hette Lucan, He wol þe telle vchone.

Si quid amare libet, uel discere amare legendo, Nasonem petito: [sin autem tibi cura[cura tibi, V. R., and Addit. MS. 22,283.] hec est, (Harl. MS. 116, lf. 107)]

72. Si voleȝ sauer amours, Come ly plusours, Liseȝ les Ouides, E tost saueras amer, E plus des amiȝ aueres Ki tu ne quides. Ȝif þou wolt witen of derne loue And haue þi fflessches wille, Sech Ouide: he con þe telle Þe Maners loude and stille.

1Sin autem cura tibi hec est,1[1_1 This belongs metrically to the last couplet, as in Addit. 22, 283: see p. 575.] ut sapiens uiuas, audi, que discere possis.

Per que semotum uiciis deducitur eu[u]m.

73. E si de cest nas cure, Mes sen e mesure, Voyleȝ aprendre Par ount come sage Puisset toun corage De uices defendre. Ȝif þou wolt liue wisliche, In ȝouþe þi lyf amende; In þin elde þow maiȝt betere ffrom vices þe defende.

Ergo ades; & que sit sapiencia, disce legendo.

74. Verieȝ[? Venez] donke auaunt, Si orras en lisaunt, Si voileȝ entendre, Syre, coynteyse, Ben e bone a-prise Voyl en tei despendre. . . . . .[English wanting, as in Addit. 22,283.]

Si potes, ignotis eciam prodesse memento: Vtilius regno est, meritis adquirere amicos.

75. Si vous poyeȝ, a touȝ A cuns e meylours Penseȝ de profiter; Kar ben e honour freȝ E les amis conquereȝ, Ke uaut meuȝ qe regner. . . . . .[English wanting, as in Addit. 22,283.]

Mitte archana dei, celum[coelumque, V. R.] inquirere quit sit; Cum sis mortalis, que sunt mortalia, cura.

76. Quant tu es mortel, Les estres de ciel Ne deueȝ vous enquere; A dampne deu lesses Auer les priuites De ciel e de tere. ¶ Enquere not of priuites Of God ne eke of heuene; Siþen þat þou art dedliche, Keep þe in þi weies euene.

Linque metum leti; nam, stultum est tempore in omni; Dum mortem metuis, amittis[amittere, V. R.] gaudia vite.

77. Ne dotes pas la mort, Quant ceo est nostre sort; Kar mout serreit folye Pur pour de la mort De perdre le desport Ki est en ceste vye. ¶ fforsak þow þe drede of deþ, Siþen hit þin Auntur is; He leoseþ þe Ioye of his lyf Þat douteþ hit, I-wis.

Iratus de re incerta contendere noli: Impedit ira animum, ne possit cernere uerum.

78. Quant tu es irreȝ, De chose ne estriueȝ Dount nestes certifie; Kar Ire le corage Desturbe, ke il ne seit sage De entendre verite. ¶ Striue no þing in þi wraþþe ffor þing vn-certeyne; Wraþþe destruyeþ monnes wit, Whon soþ may not beo seiȝene.

ffac sumptum propere, cum res desiderat ipsa; Dapsilis interdum,[Dandum etenim est aliquid, V. R.] cum tempus postulat aut res.

79. Tes despenses despent Mout corteisement En beyuere e en viaunde, Kar tei estot despendre Solum ke poyeȝ entendre Ke le tens demaunde. Sum-while spend Mete and drink Hastiliche, I rede; Hit falleþ mon to spende his good Whon tyme hit wole in stede.

Quod nimium est, fugito, paruo gaudere memento; Tuta magis[mage est, V. R.] puppis, modico que flumine fertur.

80. De Mesure hayes, De petit seieȝ lees, Kar ceo est mesure; La nef ke veut sor le vnde Ke guerres nest parfounde, Plus est enseure. ¶ To make murþe of luitel þing; To muche, þou hit fleo; Schip is more siker in luitel water Þen in þe deope séé.

Quod pudeat, socios prudens celare memento: Ne plures culpent id, quod tibi displicet uni.

81. Coyntement celeȝ Ke ne seit vergondeȝ Les feȝ ton compaynoun; Kar plusours partey Blamerunt en dreit de sei Ces mesfeȝ en comun. ¶ Hele þing þat schameþ men, Qweynte mon ȝif þou beo, Þat oþer men blame not Þing þat greueþ þe.[Harl. MS. 4657,]

Nolo putes, prauos homines peccata lucrari: Temporibus peccata latent, &[sed, V. R.] tempore parent.

82. Ne voyl qe vous guideȝ[quidez. Addit. 22,283.][Ne dais quider ke male gent Ke homme par pecches [[MS. torn away. Supplied from Addit. MS. 22,283.] Puisse ren] gayner ke pecche aiment, e le funt suuent, ke pru emporterunt; Ne pot ester ke tus pecches ke or sunt cuuers, e celéés; En aucun tens se mustrunt.] [Kar pecche]s escapisent [E en tens] arere issent [E renden]t mal louer. [I nul n]ot þat þou hope Wicked men sunnes winne; Sunnes askapen ofte in tounes, And schewen In tyme and blinne.

Corporis[MS. corpus] exigui vires contempnere noli: Consilio pollet, cui uim natura negauit.

83. Ne eieȝ en despit La force del petit, Kar se ne uaut guere; Kar la ou force faut, Bon counseil vaut, Quant homme ad a fere. ¶ Ne haue þou not in dispit Þe bodi of luitel mon: In pes and werre þer strengþe is wone, Good wisdam ofte he con.

Quem[Cui, V. R.] scieris non esse parem [te[tibi, Addit. 22,283.] tempore cede: Victorem a uicto superari sepe videmus.

84. Souent desporteras Cely ke pluis bas De tei est, e mynour: Kar nous aoums veu Souent le vencu Reueyndre le vencour. ¶ Þouh a mon be not þi peere, ffor-bere þou him in cas: Ofte we seon þe strengor falle Þorw him þat feblore was.

Aduersus[MS. Aduersum] notum noli contendere verbis: Lis minimis verbis interdum maxima cressit.

85. A conu ne od pier Ne voiles estriuer, Ne en Ieu ne adecertes; Kar graunt cuntek souent De poy sourt entre gent, Dount venent graunt pertes. ¶ Aȝeines knowen mon ne frend, Loke þat þou ne striue; Gret contek of smale wordes Waxeþ ofte ful ryue.

Quod[Quid, V.R.] deus intendat, noli perquirere sorte; Quod[Quid, V.R.] statuit[statuat, V. R.] de te, sine te deliberat ipse.

86. Ne voileȝ pas enquere Par sort ke deu voyl fere De tei ne de autri; Mes serf tei faceȝ Souent les salueȝ, E tut tei mettes en ly. ¶ Aske not what god wol do Of þe world bi cas; Wiþ-outen þe and oþur alle He mai worche wiþ his gras.

Inuidiam nimio cultu uitare memento; Que si non ledat,[ledit, V. R.] tamen hanc sufferre molestum est.

87. Pur eschure envye, Gardeȝ ke ne seyes mye Trop noble de vesture; Si homme ne nust grauntment, ffolye fust ne quident E envye sa porture. ¶ Envye, wiþ gret bisinesse Beo-þenk þe forte fleo; Of oþer mennes euel fare, Envye makeþ him gleo.

Esto forti animo,[animo forti, V. R.] cum sis dampnatus inique: Nemo diu gaudet, qui iudice uincit iniquo.

88. Si dampne es a tort, Gardeȝ ke seieȝ fort E ferm en toun corage; Nuil homme sen Ioyet longement Ky par mal Iugement Vit e par outrage. ¶ Ȝif þou be dampned falsliche, Loke þou beo of wille strong; No mon Ioyeþ long aftur, Þat ouer-comeþ wiþ wrong.

Litis preterite, noli maledicta referre; Post inimicicias iram meminisse, malorum est.

89. De tensoun trespasseȝ, Puis ke il est pardoneȝ, Ne deiȝ le diteȝ retrere; A pre amistes Nest Ire acordes Par homme debonere. ¶ Of Contek ones forȝiuen, Reherce no wikkednesse; Þe wikked mon þe wikked dedes Recordet, boþe more and lasse.

Nec te collaudes, nec te culpaueris ipse: Hoc faciunt stulti, quos gloria vexat inanis.

90. Tei ne deueȝ loyer Ne tei meymes blamer, Ceo eyeȝ en memorie; Kar se fount i ceus Ke sount bricons e fous E pleyn de veyne glorie. ¶ Preise no mon him-seluen, Ne blame him-self also; So don foles, þat veyn glorie Trauayleþ euer-mo.

Vtere quesitis modice: cum sumptus abundat, Labitur exiguo, quod partum est tempore longo.

91. Doneȝ e dispent Mesurablement, Si cum la chose est; Kar il est fest en poy detens, Quant nest garde par sens, Ke long tens quili est. ¶ Ȝif and spend a-tempreliche Þe good þat þou may winne; Catel is long in gederyng, And sone a-wei wol renne.

Insipiens esto, cum tempus postulat, aut res: Stulticiam simulare loco prudencia summa est.

92. ffol voil qe tu seieȝ, Solum ceo ke tu veieȝ Coment la chose vet; Kar cointise est graunt Defendre sei noun-sauaunt Pur soun esplet. ¶ ffeyne þe fol, þei þou be wys, Þer fooles aren beo-deene; A Mon to feynen him on þat wyse Is wismon, als I wene.

Luxuriam fugito, simul & vitare memento Crimen Auaricie; nam sunt contraria fame.

93. ffueȝ lecherie E ne ameȝ mye Nuil de ces delyces; E Auarice ausy; Kar ce sacheȝ de fy, Ke ceus doynent graunt vices. ¶ Lecherie and Glotenie, ffleo hem boþe bi name; Þei ben two wikked vices, And bringe men ofte in fame.

Noli tu quedam referenti credere semper: Exigua est tribuenda fides, quia multa locuntur.[loquuntur]

94. A ces counteous Ne creyeȝ mye a tous Ke countent meynt a fere; Kar mout I ad paroles ffauces e foles, E poi de fei entere. ¶ Leeue þou not alle mennes tales, Deceyuet þat þou ne beo; Mon þat telleþ mony þinges, ffals most nede sum beo.

Quod potu[Quae potus, V. R.] peccas, ignoscere tu tibi noli; Nam nullum crimen uini est, set culpa bibentis.

95. A tey ne seit il pardone Quant tu es en-yuere De beiuere ke mout vaut; Kar en le vyn neiȝt il pas Ne en la coupe le trespas, Mes en le trop beuaunt. ¶ Ȝif þou sunge in drinkyng, Bi-þenk þe of þat cas; Þe gult is not in þe ale ne wyn, But is þyn oune trespas.

Concilium archanum tacito committe[MS. committere.] sodali: Corporis auxilium medico committe fideli.

96. De ta priuite A cumpaynoun cele Dyeȝ, e ueyeȝ ke il ne seit volage; Toun cors a mediciner A Mire deueȝ bayler Ke seit lel e sage. ¶ Counseil þer no foly is, Of þi felawe þou hele; Put þi body, whon þou art seek, To leche þat is lele.

Successus dignos noli tu[Noli successus indignos, V. R.] ferre moleste: Indulget fortuna malis, ut ledere possit.

97. Si par ta deserte Tei auygne mal ou perte, Nel preygneȝ trop ases; Kar fortune esleue Les maueis, qe ele les greue Plus apren lent apres. . . . . . [No English given.][Lines 373-6, p. 584, 'To suffre . . . . .drede,' wrongly follow here in the Vernon MS., and in the Simeon, Addit. MS. 22,283, leaf 121, col. 2.]

Prospice, qui ueniunt, hos casus esse ferendo[s]: Nam leuius ledit, quicquid preuidimus ante.

98. Les mals pur meuȝ suffrer Ke poyent auener, Coyntement puruei; De taunt purrount le meyne Quant il sount priue dens Greuer a tei. ¶ To suffre wo þat is to comen,[Lines 373-6 are a repetition of those on page 583, after no. 97 of the French.] Porueye þe for nede; Hap þat we han seiȝen ar þis, Doþ us more to drede.

Rebus in aduersis animum submittere noli; Spem retine: spes una hominem nec morte relinquid.

99. Ne seieȝ sourmounte Par nul aduersite, Ke vous neieȝ tort, Mes de bone cheuaunce, E eies en esperaunce Quant es al poynt de mort. ¶ Dred no tribulacion, Þer þou hast þe riht; Of good hope euer þou be, And stonde with al þi miht.

Rem, tibi quam noscis aptam, dimittere noli; ffronte capillata, post est occasio calua.

100. Chose profitable— Kar fortune est changable— Ne seit de tei lesse; Le frount od peil est bel Quant le hatirel Chauf y ert epele. Par la frount pelu De vous seit entendu De riche comensail; E par la chef de riers Ke tot est auf eres Le poure defynail. ¶ Profitable þing to þe, Leeue hit not to ȝare; Þat forehed is lodly Þat is calouh and bare.

Quod sequitur specta: que quod[specta: quodque, V. R.] imminet ante, videto; Illum imitare deum, partem qui spectat vtramque.

101. I ceo qe pert deuaunt Seieȝ entendaunt, E ceo ke suyt apres; E li deu tot dreit, Ke le vn e lautre veyt, en sueȝ a des. ¶ Ende and beginnynge of þi werk Boþe þou hem bi-holde; Þulke god folewe bisiliche Þat alle þing haþ in wolde.

fforcius[Fortior, V. R.] ut ualeas, interdum parcior esto: Pauca uoluptati debentur, plura saluti.

102. Mesurable deyes Estre a cune feyeȝ, Tut seieȝ Mout pussaunt; Mout deyt homme a sante, E poy a Iolifte, Estre entendaunt. ¶ Þe hardiore þou holde þi good, Þe strengore þat þou be; Mony þing to heleMS. helle. falle, And fewe to Iolyte.

Iudicium populi numquam contempseris vnus: Ne nulli placeas, dum uis contempnere multos.

103. Iammes Iugement Ou le peple se consent, Ne despiseȝ soul; Kar ky mout despit Par fet ou par dit, Ne ert ame de nuil. ¶ To Iugement of þe peple Dispise þou neuere al-one; He þat dispiseþ mony men, He is loued of none.

Sit tibi precipue, quod primum est, cura salutis; Tempora ne culpes, cum sit[sis, V. R.] tibi causa do[lo]ris.

104. Tut premerement A ta sancte entent, Quant feiȝtes toun labour; Le houre ne blameȝ, Kar deu par uos peccheȝ Le chaunge tot en iour. ¶ Ȝif þe bi-fallen serwe on honde, Þe tyme ne blame þou nouht; God, for vre sunnes alle, Chaunged werk and þouȝt.

Sompnia ne cures; nam mens humana quod optat,[optans, V. R.] Dum vigilat, sperat, per sompnum cernit id Ipsum.

105. De songe ke vous songeȝ, Counte ne counteȝ; Kar quant homme est veilaunt, Ce ke il coueit e espeir, E puis le veut auer Cel meimes en dormaunt. ¶ Þing þat þe mette in sweuene, Telle hit not wakand; Hit is þing þat þou coueyted Er longe bi-fore-hand.

Hoc quicumque uelis carmen cognoscere lector, Hec precepta feras[Quum p. ferat, V. R.] que sunt gratissima uite,[Commoda multa feres: sin autem spreveris illud, Non me scriptorem, sed te neg|lexeris ipse.]

106. Kar ki ke vnkes serras Ki cest dit vodras En lysaunt entendre, Veieȝ toun corage A tei ke seieȝ sage E coueiteȝ a prendre. REdere, who-so þat hit be, Þat þis dite wol knowe, Þe Comaundement with him bere And nouȝt to hyȝe ne lowe.

Instrue preceptis animum, ne[nec, V. R.] discere cesses; Nam sine doctrina uita est quasi mortis ymago.

107. Ne cesses en toun corage De aprendre ke seieȝ sage Mout amyablement; Kar si cum morte ymage Est homme en checun age Ky nul ben a prent. ¶ fforþure þi wille wiþ wisdam And sese not for to lere; Monnes lyf is lyk a ded ymage, Witles ȝif hit were.

Commoda multa feres; sin autem spreueris illud, Non me scriptorem, sed te neglexeris ipsum.

108. Mout aueras profit, Si tu a cet escrit A prendre met ta peyne; E si tu ne les lyseȝ Pas ne dispiseȝ E ffras toun prou demeyne. ¶ Ȝif þou wolt don aftur me, Proffyt þou schalt haue; Ȝif þow wolt dispise me not, Þin oune worschupe þou saue.

Cum recte uiuas, ne cures verba malorum; Arbitrii nostri non est quod quisque loquatur.

109. Cum vous uiueȝ dreit e ben, Ne tei seit de ren Ky ly maueis dient; Kar nad nul de pouwer Les bouches estoper A ceuȝ ke mal vous leyent. ¶ Mekeliche þou suffre chidyng Of fool oþer of moppe; Hit is not in vre pouwer Vche monnes mouþ to stoppe.

Productus testis, saluo tamen ante pudore, Quantumcumque potes, celato crimen amici.

110. Quant es auaunt mene Testemonier verite, Sauueȝ le tuen honour Toun amy sauueras, Quant qi tu purras, De blame de soun seygnour. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Sermones blandos blesosque cauere memento: Simplicitas veri fama est, fraus ficta loquendi.

111. Paroles bleysauntes E les blandiauntes Deueȝ vous despire; Kar nuil homme ne deit A nuly par dreit ffeyntement verite dire. Dyre verite En simplicite, Ceo est bone fame; ffeyntement parler E verite celer Ceo est boydie e blame. ¶ Swete wordes of losengri, Þouȝ þei beo likande, Eueriche mon ouȝte hem to fle, And fals hem vnderstande.

Segniciem fugito, que uite ignauia fertur; Nam cum animus languet, consumit inercia corpus.

112. Si tu ne fueȝ peresse Par dreite destresse, Maueis ert ta vye; Kar ly quer languirat Par taunt cum peresce ad Le cors en sa bailye ¶ Ȝif þou ne wolt sleuþe forsake Wiþ ful gret bisynesse, Þi lyf is badde, þi bodi sone Schal falle in seknesse.

Interpone tuis interdum gaudia curis, Vt possis animo quemuis sufferre laborem.

113. Entermettre deueȝ De Ioyous estre a la feȝ E heiter ta nature, Ke puisses saunȝ damage Suffrir en toun corage Le trauayl ke vous vent sure. ¶ Sum tyme to þi studiing Þou puit Ioye euere among; Þou schalt betere afturward Suffre trauayle strong.

Alterius dictum aut factum ne carpseris unquam, Exemplo simuli ne te derideat alter.

114. Autri dyt ne fet Ne voylles par nuil plet Reprendre ne blamer; Kar si autre de tey Le face en dreyt de cey, Il te veut peiser. ¶ Oþur monnes word ne werk Loke þat þou ne blame, Þat he ne mouwe in such a caas Scorne þe bi þe same.

Quod tibi sors dederit tabulis supprema notato, Augendo serua, ne sis, quem fama loquatur.

115. Ce ke tei chet en sort Quant toun Ancestre est mort, Entenk le pur ben garder; E pur sauuer ta fame, Ke tu ne eyeȝ blame, Penseȝ de ceo anoyter. ¶ Þing þat Aunter haþ þe ȝiuen Aftur þi frend is ded, Kep, and saue þi gode los, And beo I-holden no qued.

Cum tibi diuicie superant in fine senecte, Munificus facito uiuas, nec parcus amicis.

116. Si a la fyn de ta veilesse Tei abounde ta richesse, Escars ne seies pas, Mes en tens despent E dones largement, Taunt cum tu purras. ¶ Ȝif in þin ende of þin elde Þe falle richesse strong, Beo not to scars, freliche dispende Þer neod is euer among.

Vtile consilium dominus ne despice serui; Nullius sensum, si prodest, tempseris vnquam.

117. Ne seieȝ despisaunt Le counseil toun seruaunt, Si il est profitable; Ne lesseȝ le sen de nuly Quant tu veieȝ desi Ke il seit couenable. ¶ Dispise no counseil of þi mon, Ȝif he beo profitable; Ne þe wit of oþur men, Ȝif hit beo resonable.

Rebus & in censu si non est, quod fuit ante, ffac viuas contentus eo, quod postulat vsus.[q. tempora praebent, V.R.]

118. Si tu ne seieȝ manaunt Cum as este deuaunt, Cum ly plusours sount, A tei seit suffisaunt Le petit e le graunt, Solum ke le tens respount. ¶ Ȝif hit beo not in þi catel As sum-tyme was bi-fore, Hold þe payed of þin hap And haue non herte sore

Vxorem fuge ne ducas sub nomine dotis, Nec retinere velis, si ceperit esse molesta.

119. ffemme prendre ne deieȝ Pur bien ke seit, mes veies Ke ele te seit honeste; Ne pur nuil desyr Ke voleȝ reteyner Si ele te seit moleste . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Multorum disce exemplo, que facta sequaris, Que fugias; uita est nobis aliena magistra.

120. Le ensaumple receyueȝ De mouȝ, ke vous sacheȝ qey fere e quey lesser; Kar quel ke il seit, Autri sauer vous deit A prendre ou chastier. ¶ Ensaumple tak of mony men What werkes þe folewe schal; Þe lyf of oþure goode men Is Maistres to us alle.

Quod potes, id temptes,[tenta, V.R.] operis ne pondere pressus Succumbat labor, & frustra temptata relinquis.

121. Ce ke tu poyes fere, Dount quides a chef trere Asaieȝ en meynte guise, Ke tey ne tut a pres Pur le anuy del fes Guerper la tue aprise. ¶ Þat þou may assaye wel, I rede, no more, þou bere; Ȝif þou dost, þou lest þi swik, And ouer cark wol þe dere.

Quod nosti factum non recte, noli silere,[haud recte factum, nolito tacere, V.R.] Ne videare malos imitari uelle tacendo.

122. Ce ke toun cen veit Ouerer en-countre dreit, Tere pas ne deies; Ke homme ne seit quidaunt Ke voyles enteysaunt, En suere le maueis. ¶ Þat þou wost is euel wraþþe, ffor-hele þou hit nouȝt, Þat þou suwe no wikked mon In wille nouþer in þouht.

Iudicis auxilium sub iniqua lege rogato; Ipse etiamMS. eniam leges cupiunt, ut iure regantur.

123. Eliseȝ Iuge a tei, Quant tu veyeȝ ke la ley Passe outre gre; Kar les dreite leis Voylent tote feis A dreit estre gouerne. ¶ Aske to þe help of Iuge, Vnder wikked lawes; Þei wol be gouernet al with riht, Beo nihtes and bi dawes.

Quod merito pateris, pacienter ferre memento, Cumque reus tibi[tibi reus, MS.] sis, ipsum te iudice dampna.

124. Seieȝ pacient, Suffres bonement Ceo ke as deserui; Si tu tei veies coupable, Iuges tei a dampnable, Nel le meteȝ a autri. ¶ Þin harme suffre mildeliche Þat þou serued wiþ riht, And þou gulti deme þi-self And non oþer wiht.

Multa legas fac[i]to: perlectis, perlege[neglige, V.R.] multa; Nam miranda canunt, sed non credenda, poete.

125. Lyseȝ mout de dytes E plus reliseȝ Autres mout auere; Merueiles dyent grauns Ly poyetes en lour chauns, Si len les peut crere. ¶ Gedere þinges in þin herte Þat beon to þin biheue; Þis poete telleþ of merueyles Þat aren not alle to leue.

Inter conuiuas fac sis sermone modesta,[modestus, V.R.] Ne dicare loquax dum vis vrbanus haberi.

126. Gard tei tote feeȝ Ke tu a get ne seyeȝ fforfetous in parole, Ke pur Iangleour Ne tey tignent ly plusour, Enent pur enseigne. ¶ Among þi gistes alle A-tempre be of word, Beo corteis and Iangle not Þer þou art set at bord.

Coniugis irate noli tu uerba timere; Nam lacrimis struit insidias, dum[Nam str. ins. lacr., quum, V. R.] femina plorat.

127. Quant ta [femme] est yree E dit sa rampone, Ne teneȝ vers ly plet; Mes quant ele ploure, Gard tei a cel houre, Kar donke est en get. ¶ Drede not þi wyf whon heo is wroþ, Mak heo hit neuer so stoute; Whon heo weopeþ and makeþ deol, Of hire þenne is more doute.

Vtere quesitis, sed ne videaris abuti; Qui sua consumunt, cum deest, aliena secuntur.

128. Ta chose despent Mesurablement, Ke ele ne tei fayle; Kar kike liseon gaste, De autri en haste Conquera sa vitayle. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

ffac tibi proponas, mortem non esse timendam: Que bona si non est, finis tamen illa malorum est.

129. ffeteȝ taunt en ta vye Ke ne estut mye Doter mort ne peyne; ffyn est de tuȝ mals Mort, e taunt ly vals A ben de soun demeyne. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Vxoris linguam, si linguam si frugi est, ferre memento; Namque malum [est] nil uelle pati, nil[non v. p., nec, V. R.] posse tacere.

130. Soffreȝ ta mulier Quant la oyeȝ ben parler, En tote repose; Kar nent voyler soffrir E a voyl poy teyser, Ceo est male chose. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Dilige non ega[Aequa diligito, V. R.] caros pietate parentes, Nec matrem offendas dum uis bonus esse parenti.

131. Ameȝ te chere parens De quer parfit de-dens, E nent malement; Ne offendeȝ ta mere, Si voylles pleiser toun pere E seruer a talent. ¶ ffader and moder loke þou loue Wiþ parfyt herte wiþ-inne; Loke þat þou ne wraþþe hem nouȝt, Heore benison to winne.

Securam quicumque cupis deducere vitam, Nec uiciis aderre animum, que[haerere animos, qui, V. R.] moribus obsunt.

132. kike vnkes vie pure Honeste e a mesure Desireȝ amener, En toun corage Trestut toun age De vices deueȝ garder. Siker lyf hose wole In þis world abyde, put his wylle in gode þewes, And alle wikked let slyde.

Hec precepta tibi semper relegenda memento: Invenies aliquid, quod te vitare magistro.

133. Eieȝ en memorie Le vers de cest estorie Souernelement; Kar chose y troueras Ke eschure deueras pur toun amendement. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Despice diuicias, si uis animo esse beatus; Quas qui suscipiunt, mendicant semper auari.

134. Richesce despiseȝ, Si benure estre voleȝ En toun corage; Les coueitous ount Petit, e poures sount En trestut lour age. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Comoda nature nullo tibi tempore deerunt, Si contentus eo fueris,[Si fueris c. eo, V. R.] quod postulat vsus.

135. Ia ne serra le houre Kaunt a ta nature Ke ne es a plente, Pur quei ke sen te dure Euoyleȝ de mesure Estre apaye. ¶ Þe propertes of nature Redi to þe þei be, Ȝif þou beo payed of þat þing Þat god haþ sent þe.

Cum sis in-cautus, nec racione gubernas, Noli fortunam, que non est, dicere cecam.

136. Si fous es e bricoun E ceo qe as par reson Ne gouerneȝ mye, Ne deies blamer nul houre Pur ta mesauenture, Mes meymes ta folye. ¶ Ȝif þou beo no queynte mon To gouerne þi bailye, Blame not Aunter afterward, But wite hit þi folye.

Dilige denarium,[denari, V. R.] set parce dilige, formam, Quem nemo sanctus nec honestus captat habere.[ab aere, V. R.]

137. Nent pur sa beute, Mes pur la necessite, Ameȝ le dener; Kar ceo est la somme, Nuil seint ne honest homme Nele coueit a auer. ¶ Loue þe peny for þe nede, ffor oþer beute non; Þe holy mon coueiteþ hit not No more þen a ston.

Cum fueris locuples, corpus curare memento; Eger diues habet nummos, set non habet ipsum.

138. Pur garer toun cors, Despent tes treshors, Graunt ben a tei fra Prenk ke poies auer, Le riche nad nuil dener Quant sey meimes na. ¶ Spene þi tresour, feyne þe not, Þi bodi for to hele; What prou may þi catel do, But hele wol with þe dele?

Verbera cum tuleris discens aliquando magistri, ffer patris imper[i]um,[ingenium, V. R.] cum verbis exit in iram.

139. Quant acun houre Suffres la batoure Del meiȝtre pur aprendre, Ben deis toun pere en Ire Soffrir de tei mesdire, E ne mye tei defendre. ¶ Ȝif þou haue soffred betyng Of Maister for þi lore, Do þi fader comaundement Boþe lasse and more.

Res age, que prosunt: rursus uitare memento, In quibus[quis, V. R.] error inest, nec spes est certa laboris.

140. ffetes ceo ky profyte; Mes iceo ke delyte Ou il y ad trespas, I ceo dount nestes seur, Ke sauf seit toun labour; Si tu me creies, lerras. ¶ Do þing þat þe profite may, Or helpe þe atte last; Oþere wikkede errours A-wei from þe þou cast.

Quod donare potes, gratis concede roganti; Nam gratis fecisse bonis, in parte[recte f. b., in parte. V. R.] lucrosum est.

141. Ceo qi poies doner, Doneȝ de bon quer A ly ke quert aye; kar fere debonerement Ben a bone gent, Gayn est enpartye. ¶ Þat þou maiȝt with rihte ȝef, To pore þou graunte at nede; And ȝif þou not þe riche mon, Þer is no soule mede.

Quod tibi suspectum est, confestim discute, quid sit; Namque solent, primo que sunt neglecta, nocere.

142. Enquere chose entendeȝ, Souent la recordes, Pur ben sauer la cure; Kar pas nest petit Pur auer en despit Les choses ke pount nure. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

¶ Cum te detineat veneris dampnosa uoluptas, Indulgere gule noli, que ventris amica est.

143. Si a countre toun profit Le maueis delyt Tei tent de lecherie, Donke voyl sor tote ren Ke tu tei gardes bien De Glotonerie. ¶ Ȝif þou wolt fihte with flessches lust, Aȝeynes lecherie, Þou most with-drawe of diuers metes, And vse no glotenie.

Cum tibi preualide fuerint in corpore vires, ffac sapias; quo[sic, V. R.] tu poteris vir fortis haberi.

144. Si fort es euaylaunt De cors e ben puissaunt, Od tut ceo seyeȝ sage, Si purras estre pruȝ E a fort tenuȝ En tut vostre age: ¶ Ȝif þou be mon of bodi strong, Auyse þe wel in þi þouȝt, Puyt þi strengþe in-to prou, And elles hit helpeþ þe nouȝt.

Cum tibi preponas animalia cuncta timere, Vnum precipio tibi plus hominem[MS. hom. plus.] esse timendum.

145. Quant taunt frele estes Ke vous dotes les bestes E le serpens, Mout deueȝ doter Homme de feloun quer, E fuer le tut tens. ¶ Siþen þou art so frele of kuynde Wilde bestes to doute, Doute wel more wikked men, And come not in heore route.

Auxilium a notis petito, si forte laboras; Nec quisquam melior medicus, quam fidus amicus.

146. Si tei sourt mester De tes amys requer Socours e aye, Meillor nul ne say Myre qe amy veray En tote ceste vye. ¶ Aske in trauayle help of frende, To wisse þe and to rede, Beter leche knowe I non Þen trewe frend is at neode.

Cum sis ipse nocens, moritur cur uictima pro te? Stulticia in[est, V. R.] mortem alterius sperare salutem.

147. Salu en autri mort Espeirer, ceo est tort E folye e vice. Par quele resoun prouable Quant tu es coupable De toun sacrifice. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Cum tibi uel socium, uel fidum queris amicum, Non fortuna tibi[tibi fortuna, V. R.] est hominis, sed vita petenda.

148. Su tu as desyr De lel amy choiser Ou bele cumpaignye, De enquere lauenture De homme neyeȝ cure, Mes de la bone vye. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Vtere quesitis opibus; fuge nomen auari. Quid tibi diuicie prosunt, si[Quo tibi divitias, si semper, V. R.] pauper abundas?

149. Ceo ke tu as purchase, Vseȝ en honestete, ffueȝ le noun de escars. Dount sert ta richesce, Quant tu viues en destresce, Ke nuil ben ne as? . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Si famam seruare cupis, dum uiuis, honestam, ffac fugias animo, que sunt mala gaudia uite.

150. Si uoleȝ garder ta fame De vilenye ede blame, Taunt cum es uiuaunt, En Ioyes de ceste mound Ke mout maueis sount Ne seieȝ consentaunt. ¶ Ȝif þou wolt kepe þi gode loos ffrom wiked sunne and blame, To veyne ioyes of þis world ffor-sak hem alle bi name.

Cum sapias animo, noli irridere senectam; Nam quocumque sene,[quicumque senet, V. R.] puerilis sensus in illo est.

151. Pur quei ke seieȝ sage, Ia homme de veilage Ne serras gabaunt; Kar kaunt homme enueillist, Le sen ly enfeblist E si deuent enfaunt. ¶ In old mon is childes wit, Soþ þou schalt hit fynde; Ȝif þou be wys, scorn him not, Hit falleþ to his kuynde.

Disce aliquid; nam, cum subito fortuna recedit,[recessit, V. R.] Ars remanet uitamque hominis non deserit vnquam.

152. Aperneȝ a-kun art, Ke, si fortune senpart de tei sodeynement, le art od tei remeyndra, Ke trop ne tei lerra Esguare entre gent. ¶ Leorn sum good, whil þou miht; Auenture haþ no make; Mester wol not fayle þi lyf, Hit nul þe neuere forsake.

Prospicito cuncta[Perspicito tecum, V. R.] tacitus, quod quisque loquatur: Sermo hominum mores celat, set & indicat idem.

153. A chekun parlement seyeȝ E entendaunt tote feȝ, Mes teisaunt tei couere; Kar la parole a plusours hommes Lour mours e lour custumes Clerement descouere. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Exerce studium, quam-uis perceperis artem: Vt cura ingenium, quoque sic[sic et, V. R.] manus adiuat usum.

154. Le estudie haunteras, Ia seit I ceo ke tu as Le art aperceu; Estudie engein encuse, E la meyn homme vse Meynte tel aum veu. Haunte studie, þauȝ þou haue Wel conceyued þi craft, Þat wille and wit and þin hond To-gedere ben i-laft.

Multum uenturi ne cures tempora fati: Non metuit mortem qui s[c]it contempnere uitam.

155. Ne eies pas graunt cure De penser a quel hure Tu as a morer; La mort ne doteȝ mye Cyl ke veut sa vye En despit auer. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Disce, set a doctis: indoctos ipse doceto; propaganda est etenim[etenim est, V. R.] rerum doctrina bonarum.

156. De aseygnement apren, E tu de toun sen Autres deis aprendre; Soun sen e soun sauer Pur ben multiplier Deit chescun despendre. ¶ Heeren þou schalt of wyse men; And loke wel in þi mood Þi wit to spene wysliche, And eke þin oþer good.

Hoc bibe quod possis, si tu uis viuere sanus: Morbi namque mali causa[M. causa mali nimia, V. R.] est quecumque voluptas.

157. Si tu veus viuere seyn, Beueȝ ke tu seyes pleyn E ke bien puisaunt; Kar chescun delyt est vein, E encheson certeyn De maladye graunt. ¶ Drink þat þou beo meþful, And lyue in hele good; ffoul delyt in drunkennesse Makeþ men ofte ful wood.

Laudaris quodcumque palam, quecumque probaris, Prospice,[Hoc vide, V. R.] ne rursus leuitatis crimine dampnes.

158. Ceo ke tu as lowe En comunite Par tei derechef, Ne seit a redampner Pur nul regreter, Taunt seieȝ sage e gref. ¶ Þing þat þou hast ones preised Be-fore þe folk ouer al, Blame hit not þer-afturward, Beo hit gret or smal.

Tranquillis rebus, que su[n]t aduersa caueto:[timeto, V. R.] Rursus in aduersis, melius sperare memento

159. Quant es ben a eise, Penseȝ donke de meseise, Pur tei humilier; Quant es en aduersiteȝ, Mout graunt bens esperes, pur tei cumforter. ¶ In þi weolþe þou þenk of wo, So maiȝt þou þe meke; In wo also haue hope of helpe, So maist þou cumforte þe seke.

[Discere ne cesses: cura sapientia crescit: Rara datur longo prudentia temporis usu.]

Parce laudato; nam, quem tu sepe probaris, Vna dies, qualis fuerit, demonstrat,[ostendet, V. R.] amicus.

160. Mesurablement Loyeȝ tote gent De kes al esprouer; Kar vn Iour ver tei fra Ky amy tei serra, Quant aueras graunt mester. ¶ Preise a mon so scarsliche, Whom þat þou wolt him proue; He schal sum tyme schewe openliche Wher he þe hate or loue.

Ne pudiat, que nescieris, te uelle doceri: Scire aliquid laus est; turpe[culpa, V. R.] est, nil discere uelle.

Hounte ne eieȝ, Ceo ky uous ne saueȝ En-quere e a prendre; Los est de sauer ben, E mal, de nuile ren Voler entendre. ¶ Þat þou ne const, schome þe not Of oþere to ben I-tauht; He þat nout con, ne nout wol lerne, May neuer ben I-sauȝt.

Cum uenere & bacho lis est, coniuncta[sed iuncta, V. R.] voluptas. Quod lautum est, animo complectere, set fuge lites.

De-sour beuerie Sourt tensoun e folye, Sens nul ou petit, E de lecherie Estryf e briconye, Mes mout vnt graunt folye. Le maueis delyt Eyeȝ en despit, E fueȝ le tensoun; Vnkes despiseȝ Les bens ke tu preiseȝ En ta discrecioun. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Dimissos animo tacitos que cauere[ac tacitos vitare, V.R.] memento: Quo[Qua, V.R. flumen placidum est, forsan latet alciori[altius, V.R.] vnda.

En checun tens elu Tel homme eschu Ke tut Iour est tensaunt; Kar il auent ke lounde, Ke est plus parfounde Ou eole est meyns mouaunt. ¶ In vche stude, in vche tyme, Þe stille mon þou drede and fle; Þer water is most deope, Þe lasse þer þen steres he.

Cum tibi displiciat rerum fortuna tuarum, Alter[i]us specta, quo sis discrimine peior.

Si en nule ren Tei ne achese ben Cum fet a autre gent, Veieȝ si tu eieȝ tecche Ou vice en quey ceo pecche, E taunt tost tei ament. ¶ Ȝif auenture nul not þe serue As he doþ oþer men, Bi-hold þi tecches or þi sunne, Wher þou beo gulti þen.

Quod potes, id tempta: litus nam[nam litus, V.R.] carpere remis Tucius est multo, quam uelum tendere in altum.

A-sayeȝ en a-prise ben Ke tu ne prengneȝ ren Ke ne pusseȝ acheuer; Plus est seur a fere De nager pres de tere Ky en haute mer sigler. Aȝeyn þe strem ne striue þou nouȝt, Ne nuiȝe þe not wiþ wrong; ffor eueri werk wronglich wrouht God wol venge a-mong.

Contra hominem iustum praue contendere noli: Sepe[Semper, V.R.] enim deus iniustas vlciscitur iras.

A countre homme dreiturer Ne voyleȝ estriuer A tort, ne ly mesdire: Kar totes houres prent Deus gref vengement De torcenouse yre. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Ereptis opibus, noli tu flere[maerere, V.R.] dolendo: Set gaude pocius, si te contingat[tibi si contingit, V.R.] habere.

Si tu perdes auer, Ne uoyles pas doler Pur doubler toun damage; Mes si deule te reueyt, Recef le gayn od heit— Si freȝ ke mout sage. ¶ Ȝif þou leosest þi worldes good, To gret deol mak þou nouȝt, Raþer, ȝif þe fayle þe chaunce, Haue Ioye in þi þouȝt.

Est iactura grauis, que sunt, amittere dampnis: Sunt quedam, que ferre decet pacienter amicum.

Damage gref e fyer Dount homme deit doler, Ceo est perdre soun amy; Mes meynt est damage Pur quei ia ly sage Ne ert dolent ne mari. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Tempora longa tibi noli promittere vite: Quocumque ingrederis, sequitur mors, corporis vmbram.

Ne vous prometteȝ mye Tens de longe vye, Ke bricoun tenu ne seieȝ: Ou ke vnkes uas eyns ou hors, Le vmbre de toun cors Ensuit mort tote feȝ. ¶ Haue non hope to liuen longe, But diht þe euere on hiȝe; Wher-so þou gost, niht or day, Þi deþ foleweþ þe neihe.

Ture deum placa: vitulum sine crescat aratro; Ne credas placare deum, cum cede litatur.

En tens a deu celestre Offreȝ, e soffres crestre Le vel a la charue; Crere ne voyleȝ Ke dieu de ceo seit leȝ Ke homme les bestes tue. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Cede locum lesis fortune,[laesus Fortunae, V.R.] cede potenti; Ledere qui poterit, prodesse aliquando valebit.

Doneȝ lu a graunt, E suffreȝ le pussaunt Quant il fet mal a tey; Kar cil ke peut blesser, Purra profyter Acune feȝ, ceo crey. ¶ Ȝif þou stude to grete men, Þauh ofte þei greueþ þe; Oþer-tyme þei may þe profyte— And her-of loke þou leeue me.

Cum tu[Quum quid, V.R.] peccaris, castiga te ipse subinde: Vulnera dum sanas, dolor est medicina doloris.

Si vous pecches par folye, Tey meymes enchastye, E ceo ben aprement; Kar dolour est medecyne De dolour ke ne fyne De tous dolours lentent. ¶ Ȝif þou sum tyme dost a sunne, Sone þou hit amende; Serwe is medicine of þi gult, And God is wonder hende.

Dampnaris nunquam post longum tempus amicum; Mutauit mores: sed pignora prima memento.

Si toun amy change Soun corage pur vyl hange, Ne le voilles dampner; Mes ke il ad samour Chaungeȝ en Amour Vers tey deis remembrer. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Gracior officijs, quo sis mage carior, esto: Ne nomen subeas, quod dicitur, officij perdi.[officiperdi, V.R.]

Cum vous cher tey eies De taunt pener tey deyes Pur seruer plus a gre, Ke vous ne seyes nome Maueis, ne a-pele A uostre eyn degre. ¶ Ȝif þou beo holden deore with frend, Him þou serue þe more to gre, Þat wikked reson bi good enchesun Beo not put on þe.

Suspectus caueas, ne sis miser omnibus horis: Nam timidis & suspectis aptissima mors est.

Les suspecious Sount tut tens pourous, Lour vye est en meseyse; A teus vaut meuȝ morir Ke tel mal suffrer Od tote lur ese. . . . . . [English wanting, space left.]

Cum seruos fueris proprios mercatus in vsus Et famulos dicas, homines tamen esse memento.

Si a ta volunte Serfs as achate, Pur auer a toun vsus, E quaunt ke vus seruerunt, Penseȝ ke hommes sount Ansy ben cum vous. ¶ Ȝif þou haue seruauns mony on, To werk and don vsage, Beo-þenk þe wel þat þei beo men And lyk to þin ymage.

Quam primum rapienda tibi est occacio prima: Ne rursus queras, que iam neglexeris ante.

Les bens ke poyes erraunt prendre en auaunt, Ne les mettes en respyt; Oum tu y fauderas Quant auer les voderas Issi cum ieo quit. ¶ Tak what þing þe profred is Whon þou maiȝt redi haue; He þat nul not whon he may, Ofte haþ not whon he wol craue.

Morte repentina noli gaudere malorum: ffelices obeunt, quorum sine crimine uita est.

En-ioyer ne te deis Quant tu veies le maueis Morer sodeynement; Kar les benures Ke neȝ sount enpecches Vount a defynement. ¶ Of sodeyn deþ of wikked men Ioye ne make þou none; Holy men and of lyue clene Diden so als maiȝt þou done.

Cum coniux tibi sit, nec[Quum tibi fit conjux, ne, V.R.] res & fama laborat, Vita ne[Vitandum, V.R.] ducas inimicum nomen amici.

Si femme as ou amye E homme la sordye De acun toun amy, Ia pur ceo ne enuyeȝ, De-uaunt ke cert seyes, Mal quer vers ly. ¶ Ȝif men tellen harm bi þi wyf Or oþer ffrend beo name, Til hit beo proued, leeue hit nouȝt; Empeyre þou nouȝt hire fame.

Cum tibi contigerit studio cognoscere multa, ffac discas multa; culpa est nil velle[et vita nescire, D.] doceri.

Mout seieȝ ententyfs Tut eieȝ vus mout apris En estudiaunt, E plus e plus a-pren Sauer e sen, Taunt cum es uiuaunt. ¶ Þouh þat þou knowe fele þinges Be studie and bi lore, Let not o Bok, bisiliche Beo lernynge euer-more. ¶ Coueyte not to muche good, And do aftur my red; Þe ouerdon gredi mon Beggeþ ofte his bred.G. E. Weber says, in Corpus Poet. Latin., 1833, p. 1198: 'Additur denique distichon satis ineptum: Miraris verbis nudis,' &c. The Various Readings above are from his text.

Mireris verbis nudis me scribere versus? Hos breuitas sensus fecit congungere[coniungere, V.R.] binos.

Tu as merueyle se quit Ke ieo ay ces vers escrit Issy nuement; Mes ceo est lenchesoun Ke ieo deisse ma Resoun En deus vers breuement. ¶ Þe merueyles of þise nakede vers Beoþ maked bi two and two: Þe schortnesse of my luitel wit Dude me en-Ioynen hem so. ¶ Wise men may a-mende þis ieste, And resouns puten and eche: Þo þat reden on þis bok, Þerof I hem biseche. ¶ Alle þat reden and wolle recorden Þis smale techinges bi-dene, God hem graunte, þorw his grace, Of heore sunnes be clene. Amen! LI. The Stacions of Rome. [The Prolog only.] LOrd Ihesu crist In Trinite, Þreo persones In vnite, Þat on God is in makynge, Þat is and was of alle þinge, Seende us grace now so biginne, Þat we mowe so heuene winne, Þat mowe we not don here, Bot ur soules ben of sunne clere. Hose wot his soule In synne bounde, I wol him techen In a stounde, Where he may medicyn fynde His soule of sunne to vnbynde, And from pyne him saue sikerly, Þat in þe fuir of helle is redy; And also from þe fuir of helle, Wher-of þe peynes no mon con telle. ¶ To grete Rome gon he mote, Þer is þe Medicyn, crop and Rote, Þat men clepeþ pardoun. Ȝonge and Olde in eueri toun, Þer is forsoþe welle of grace To alle þat visyteþ þat place, And ben in loue and charite Touward vche mon what so he be, And kepeþ him clene to his ende, Nedes to heuene moste he wende Wiþ-outen peyne lasse or more, His soule to dwellen euere þore. Þat may vche mon at Rome fynde, And clene his soule of synne vnbynde, As I her-after ow schal telle. In diuerse churches, and ȝe wol dwelle, An holy lyf is in þat place, Men may hit leeue, hose haþ grace. Seouen hundret and fifti ȝer be-foren Þat vr lord Ihesu was boren, Two knihtes come from troye In-to Itayle with muchel Ioye, Is cleped Remous and Romilus, As olde Cronycles telleþ þus. Þei weoren breþeren of muchel miht, And muchel douted in fiht, And foundeours of Rome, þat grete citéé, Þat is ful of grace and dignite, And cleped is Rome after hem, As cronicles telleþ alle men. Al was heþene þat was þer-Inne, fful of wikkednes and of sinne, Til peter and poul, and seynt Ion, And oþer holye mony on, Þider come wiþ godes miht To cristene þe peple day and niht, To teche hem cristes lore, Boþe þe lasse and eke þe more. Þer weore þei mony a gret stounde, So harde in meschef and sunne I-bounde, Þat cristendam ne wolden take, Ne heore Maumetrie forsake; And slowen Peter and poul also, And oþer seintes mony mo: Mony Miracle of hem gon falle In þe Cite of þe heiȝe halle, Of þe Martires þat þei hedde made, Þat coude no better rade, And cristned bi-comen mony one Of heþene men þat weren in Rome. Þe moredel þat weore þer-inne, And also al þat þei mihte winne. ¶ And þo þat wolde not cristned be, Weore he bonde, weore he fre, To deþe anon was he don, Moste þer no gold for him gon; In-to Rome þus com cristendom, And for vr alre sauacion. ¶ Now þis schal beo þe parclose, No more to speken of þis prose, But of holynesse and dignite, Graunted in chirches of þat cite. HOse wole his soule leche . . . . .[The rest of the poem, after 1. 78, is printed in No. 25 of the E. E. Text Society's Original Series, 1867, pages 1-24, and is therefore not repeated here. Had I recollected that the next poem—the 'Disputation'—had been printed by our late lamented friend, Dr. Richard Morris, in his Legends of the Holy Rood, E. E. T. Soc., 1871, p. 131-149, and (from the Royal MS. 18, A 10) p. 197-209, it would not have found place here; but I'd forgotten all about it till the revise came, and therefore do not cancel it.— F., 14 June, 1894.] LII. Disputation between Mary and the Cross.

[40 Alliterative Stanzas: nos. 1 and 40, either nine lines with 2 central rymes, aaaa, bcccb; or 17 lines, aab, aab, aab, aab, cdddc; nos. 2-39, thirteen lines abab, abab, cdddc.]

(1) Oure ladi freo, on Rode treo, made hire mon: Heo seid, "on þe, þe fruit of me, is wo bigon; Mi fruit I seo, in blodi bleo, among his fon; Serwe I seo, þe veines fleo, from blodi bon.These 4 lines might each be set in 4 threes, aab, as those in stanza 40 (p. 626) are in the MS, the printed below as single lines. Cros, þou dost no trouþe, On a pillori my fruit to pinne. He haþ no spot of Adam sinne: fflesch and veines nou fleo a-twinne; Wherfore I rede of routhe. (2) Cros, þi bondes schul ben blamed, Mi fayre fruit þou hast bi-gyled, Þe fruites Mooder was neuere a-famed, Mi wombe is feir, founden vn-fuyled. Chyld, whi artou not a-schamed On a pillori to ben I-piled? Grete Iewes þus weore gramed, And dyede for heore werkes wyled. In mournyng I may melte; Mi fruit þat is so holi halwed, In a feeld is fouled and falwed; Wiþ grete Iewes he is galwed, And dyeþ for Monnes gelte. (3) FOr grete Iewes, galwes weire greiþed, Þat euer to Robbyng Ronne ryf. Whi schal my sone on þe beo leid, Þat neuer nuyȝed mon nor wyf? A drinke of deþ, soþliche seid, Cros, þou ȝeuest þe lord of lyf, His veynes to-bursten wiþ þi breid. Mi fruit stont nou in a strong stryf; Blod from hed is hayled; ffouled is my fayre fruit, Þat neuer dude tripet ne truit. Wiþ þeues þat loueden ryot and ruit, Whi schal my sone be nayled? (4) Þoruȝ Iugement þou art en-Ioynet To bere fooles ful of sinne. Mi sone from þe schulde beon ensoynet, And neuere his blod vppon þe rinne; But nou is truþe wiþ tresun teynet, Wiþ þeoues to honge fer in fenne; Wiþ feole nayles his limes ben feynet; A careful Moder men mai me kenne; In Bales I am bounde. Þat fruit was of a Mayden born, On a þeoues tre is al to-torn. A Broche þorw-out his brest [is] born, His holi herte haþ wounde. (5) Tre! þou art loked bi þe lawe, Þeoues, traitours, on þe to dye;[? deye] But now is trouþe wiþ tresun drawe, And vertu falleþ in vices weye; But loue and treuþe in soþfast sawe On a treo traytours hem teye; Vertu is wiþ vices slawe. Of alle vertues my sone is keye, Vertu swettore þen spices; In fot and hond bereþ blodi prikke, His hed is ful of þornes þikke; Þe goode hongeþ a-mong þe wikke; Vertu dyeþ wiþ vices. (6) Tre vnkynde, þou schalt be kud; Mi sone step-Moder, I þe calle. Mi fruit was born wiþ beestes on bed, And be my flesch my flour gan falle. Wiþ my brestes, my brid I fed; Cros! þou ȝeuest him Eysel and Galle. Mi white Rose Red is spred, Þat fostred was in a fodderes stalle. ffeet and fayre hondes Þat nou ben croised, I custe hem ofte; I lulled hem, I leid hem softe. Cros! þou holdest hem hiȝe on lofte, Bounden in bledyng bondes. (7) Mi loue i-lolled vp in þe eyr, Wiþ cradel bond I gan him bynde. Cros! he stikeþ nou on þi steir, Naked a-ȝeyn þe wylde wynde. ffoules fourmen heor nestes in þe eyr; Wolues, in den, reste þei fynde; Bot Godes sone, in heuene heir, His hed nou leoneþ on þornes tynde. Of mournyng I may mynne: Godes hed haþ reste non, But leoneþ on his scholder bon; Þe þornes þorwh his flesch[e] gon; His wo I wytte hit sinne. (8) Cros! to slen, hit is þi sleiht; Mi fayre fruit þou berest fro blis. Cros! þou holdest him so heih on heiȝþ, Mi fruites feet I mai not kis. Mi mouþ I pulte, my sweore I streiȝt To cusse his feet, soþ þing hit is. Þe Iewes from þe cros me keiȝt; On me þei made heore mouwes amis, Heore games and heore gaudes; Þe Iewes wrouȝten me ful wo. Cros! I fynde þou art my fo. Þou berest my brid beten blo, Among þeose fooles fraudes." (9) Cristes cros ȝaf onswere: "Ladi, to þe I owe honour; Þi brihte palmes nou I bere; Mi schyning scheweþ þorw þi flour; Þi feire fruit on me ginneþ tere; Þi fruit me florischeþ in blod colour. To winne þe world þat lay in lere,[MS. lure] Þat Blosme Blomed vp in þi bour, Ac not for þe al-one, But for to winne al þis werld Þat swelte vndur þe deueles swerd; Þorw feet and hond God let him gerd, To a-mende monnes mone. (10) Adam dude ful huge harmes Whon he bot a bite vndur a bouh; Wherfore þi sone haþ sprad his Armes On a treo tyed wiþ teone I-nouh. His flesch is smite wiþ deþes þarmes, And swelteþ heer in a swemly swouh. His Breste is bored wiþ deþes swarmes; And wiþ his deþ, fro deþ he drouh Alle his leoue freondes, As Oȝie spac in prophecie; And seide, 'þi sone, seinte Marie, His deþ slouȝ deþ on Caluarie, Ȝaf lyf wiþ-outen endes.' (11) Þe stipre[? MS. scipre] þat is vnder þe vyne set, May not bringe forþ þe grape; Þeih þe fruit on meþ[? for me] beo knet, His scharpe schour haue I not schape. Til grapes to þe presse beo set, Þer renneþ no red wyn in rape; Neuere presse pressed bet. I presse wyn for kniht and knape, Vp-on a Blodi brinke. I presse a grape with strok and stryf; Þe Rede wyn renneþ ryf; In Samaritane, God ȝaf a wyf Þat leof licour to drinke. (12) LAdi! loue doþ þe to alegge! Þi fruit is prikked wiþ speres ord; On Cros, wiþ-outen knyues egge, I kerue fruit of godes hord: Al is al red, Rib and Rugge; His bodi bledeþ aȝeyn þe bord; I was piler and bar a brugge; God is weie, witnesse of word, God seiþ he is soþfast weye. Mony folk slod to helle slider; To heuene, mihte no mon þider, Til god dyed, and tauȝte whider Men drawen whon þei dye. (13) Moyses haþ fourmed in his figour, A whit lomb, and non oþer beste, Schulde be sacred vr saueour, And be mete of mihtes meste. I was þat cheef chargeour; I bar flesch for folkes feste, Ihesu crist vre saueour, He fedeþ boþe lest and meste; Rosted a-ȝeyn þe sonne, On me lay þe lomb of loue; I was plater, his bodi a-boue; Til feet and hondes al to-cloue, Wiþ blood I was bi-ronne. (14) Ȝit Moyses in Rule haþ rad, We schulde ete vr lomb in sour vergeous; Sour vergeous mai make vr soules glad, To serwe sore for sunnes ours. Sour vergeous schal make þe deuel adrad, ffor he fleccheþ fro godes spous. Beo a staf stondeþ sad, Whon ȝe fongen flesch in godes hous. Þat staf is Cristes Crouche; Stondeþ stifli bi þat stake, Whon þat ȝe fongen flesch in Cake; Þen schal no feond maystri make, Ȝoure soules for to touche. (15) For pardoun scheweþ be a shrine: Wiþ nayl and brede, on bord is smite Rede lettres write be lyne, Bluwe, Blake, among men pite. Vr lord I likne to þis signe: His bodi vppon a bord was bite; In Briht[e] blod, his bodi gan schyne: Hou wo him was, may no mon wite, Red vp on þe Roode. Vr pardoun, brede from top too to, Writen hit was wiþ wonder wo; Wiþ Rede woundes and strokes blo, Vre Book was bounden in bloode. (16) Adam stod vp in stede; In Bitter galle, his gost he dreint: A-ȝeyn þat galle, God ȝaf vs mede; Wiþ swete Merci, Bitter is queynt. His Bodi was Book, þe Cros was brede, Whon Crist for vs þeron was cleynt.[or weynt] No mon gat pardoun wiþ no bede, Weor he neuere so sely a seynt, Til book on bord was sprad, Wiþ sharpe nayles dunted and driue, Til feet and hondes al to-riue; His herte blod, vre book haþ ȝiue, To make vr gostes glad." (17) Cristes Cros ȝit spac þis speche: "ffurst was I presse, wyn to wringe; I bere a Brugge, wei to teche, Þer semely Aungeles sitte and synge. Lord of loue and lyues leche, ffor þe was set sely sacrynge; To winne þe world þat was in wreche, Þe cros was brede, pardoun to bringe. Pardoun In book is billed: What is pardoun, vppon to minne? Hit is forȝiuenes of dedly sinne: Whon blod was writen on cristes kinne, Pardoun was fulfilled." (18) Oure ladi seide, "Cros! of þi werk, Wonder þe not, þeiȝ I be wroþe. Þus seide Poule, Cristes clerk: Þe feolle Iewes, wiþ false oþe, Iewes ston-hard in sinnes merk, Beoten a lomb wiþ-outen loþe, Softer þen watur vndur serk, Meode or Milk [i-]medled boþe. Þe Iewes weoren harde stones: Softur þen watur or eny licour, Or dewȝ þat liþ on þe lilie flour, Was cristes bodi, in blod colour: Þe Iewes wolden ha broken his bones. (19) And mony a prophete gan make mon, And seide: lord! send us þi lomb Out of þe wildernesses ston, To fende vs from þe lyon cromp Of mylde mount of Syon; Be-com mon In a Maydens womb, Made a bodi wiþ blessed bon, In a Maidens blod þi bodi flomb; At Barreres weore debate: Þorwȝ stones In þe wildernes, Men miȝte better ha crepet I-wis, Þen bored in-to heuene blis, Til blod brac vp þe ȝate. (20) Sin monnes sone was so nedi To beo lad wiþ lomb[e] mylde, Whi weore gylours so gredi ffor to defoule my faire childe? Cros! whi weore þou so redi To rende my fruit feor in fylde?" "Ladi, to make þe deuel dredi, God schop me a scheld, schame to schilde, Til lomb of loue dyede, And on me ȝeld þe gost wiþ vois. I was chose a Relik chois; Þe signe of Ihesu cristes crois, Þer dar no deuel abyde. (21) Moni folk I fende from heore fos,— Cristes Cros þis sawes seide:— Heuene ȝates weore closed clos, Til þe lomb of loue dyede; Þis is write in tixt and glos; After Cristes deþ, prophetes preide Til þe lomb of loue dyed and ros, In helle pyne, monkynde was teyde. At houre of his none, Þe lomb of loue seyde his þouȝt: Nou is folfuld, þat wel is wrouȝt; A mon is out of bondes brouȝt, And heuene dores vndone. (22) Wiþ þe ffader þat al schal folfille, His sone to heuene is an help; I was piler, and stod ful stille; After oþur ȝiftes now gostes ȝelp. Þe fend þat al þis world wolde kille, His swerd he pulte vp in his kelp; To helle he horlede from þat hille, Beerynge as a Beore whelp. A beore is bounden and beted, Cristes Cros haþ craked his croun; Þe lomb haþ leid þe Lyoun a-doun; Þe lomb is lord in eueri toun, So cristes blod haþ pleted. (23) In holy writ þis tale is herde, Þat goode ȝiftes god vs ȝaf. God seiþ himself he is schepherde; And vche an heerde bi-houeþ a staf: Þe Cros I calle þe heerdes ȝerde; Þer-wiþ, þe deuel, a dunt he ȝaf, And wiþ þe ȝerde, þe wolf he werde; Wiþ duntes drof him al to draf. Þe Cros þis tale tolde, Þat he was staf in þe heerdes hond; Whon schep breken out of heore bond, Þe wolf he wered out of lond, Þat deuoured cristes folde." (24) Ȝit seide þe Meke Marie: "Roode! þou reendest my Rose al red, Þreo Iewes coomen from Caluari Þat day þat Ihesu þoled ded; Alle þei seiden þei weore sori; ffor-dolled in a dronknyng dred, Þei tolden hem alle wherfore and whi Heore hertes were colde as lumpyng led; Þe furste heore tale tolde: 'Whon crist was knit with corde on a stok, His bodi bledde aȝein þat blok; Þorw feet and hondes nayles gan knok, Þen gan myn herte to colde.' (25) Þe Secounde seide: 'nay, not þat! Þat dude serwe in-to myn herte schete, But whon þe Roode ros, & doun was squat, Þe nayles renten him hondes and feete; Þorw-out his helm, þe harde hat, Þe þornes, in-to his flesch gan crepe; His Ioyntes vn-Ioynet, I tok good gat; Þo weop I water, and teeres leete, To care I was enclyned; In cloddres of blod, his her was clunge; Þe flesch was from þe bones swonge; Druiȝe drinkeles was his tonge; His lippes to-clouen and chyned.' (26) Þe þridde seide: 'þis þouhte me lest[? MS. left] Of þeose peynes and oþer mo, Þis peyne þouhte me peyne mest, Al his flesch he let of flo. His Mylde Moder stod him nest, Loked vpward, And hire was wo. A swerd swapped hire þorw þe brest; Out of þe cros þe knyf com þo; Þis siht sauh I my-selue; Þe swerd of loue þorw hire gan launce; Heo swapte on swownyng þorw þat chaunce: To scornen hire þei gan daunce, Iewes bi ten and twelue.' (27) Sin Iewes made so muchel mon To seon my brid bounden in brere; In sad serwyng moste I gon, To seon blodi my chyldes chere. ffadres & Modres þat walken in won, Schul loue heore children beo skiles clere; Þeose two loues weore in me al on, ffor fader and moder I was here; Þeose two loues in me weore dalt; I was fader of his flesch; His Moder hedde an herte nesch; Mi serwe flowed as water fresch; Weopyng and wo I walt. (28) IN me weore tacched sorwes two: [I]n þe fader mihte non abyde, ffor he was euere in reste and Ro, Ioyned in his Ioyes wyde. I serwed sore for to sei so; I say whon þat my derlyng dide; Wiþ duntes he was to deþe i-do; Vp-on a tre his bodi was soyled. Whon trouþe is told and darted, Of alle Ioyes God is welle, Þer mihte no serwe in him dwelle, I serwed sore, as Clerkes telle; Mi pyne was not departed. (29) ÞE hattore loue, þe caldore care, Whon frendes fynde heore fruit defoyled; Þe dispitous Iewes nolde not spare Til trie fruit weore tore and toyled. Neuer Mayden Mournede mare; I sauh my child ben surded and soyled, Myn herte to-clef wiþ swerd of care; I sauȝ my brid with blod bem[MS. ben]-oyled. As Symeon seide beo-forn, Þe swerde of serwe, scharp I-grounde, Schulde ȝiue myn herte a wounde: In more wo þen I was bounde, Neuere buirde haþ born. (30) Þe dede worþily gan wake; Þe dai turned to nihtes donne; Þe Merke Mone gan Mournyng make; Þe lyht out leop of þe sonne; Þe temple walles gan chiuere & schake; Veiles in þe temple, a-two þei sponne. Cros! whi noldestou not crake, Whon rihtful blod on þe was ronne, And kuyndes losten heore kende? Whon my fruit on þe was fast, Cros! whi weore þou not agast? Þow stod stif as eny mast, Whon lyf left vp his ende. (31) Whon þat Prince of Paradys Bledde boþe brest and bak, An heþene clerk was seint Denys: He seide, þis world wente al to wrak; He sauȝ þe planetes passen out of here pris; Þe brihte sonne gan waxen blak: Þe clerk þat was so wonderly wys, Wonder wordes þer he spak. Denys, þis grete Clerke, seide, 'Þe day of doom draweþ to an ende; Al vr kuyndes haþ lost vr kende, Til God þat dyed for vch a kuynde, ffor Monnes kuynde deyde.' (32) Foules fellen out of heore fliht; Beestes gan Belwe in eueri binne. Cros! whon Crist on þe was cliht, Whi noldestou not of mournyng minne?" Þe Cros seide, "ladi briht! I bar ones þi fruit for monnes sinne, More to amende monnes riht, Þen for eny weolþe þat I gan winne; Wiþ blod, God bouȝte his broþer. Whon Adam, Godes biddyng brak, He bot a bite þat made vs blak, Til fruit weore tied on treo wiþ tak; O fruit for anoþer. (33) Sin Cristes Cros þat kepeþ ȝifte, Graunted of þe fadres graunt, I was loked I schulde vp lifte Godes sone and maydenes faunt, No Mon hedde scheld of schrifte; Þe deuel stod lyk a lyon raumpaunt, Mony folk In-to helle he clihte, Til þe crosses dunt ȝaf him a daunt. Mi dedes are bounden and booked; Alle þe werkes þat I haue wrouht, Weore founden in þe ffaderes fore-þouht; Þerfore, ladi, lakkeþ me nouht, I dude as me was looked. (34) Þorw Blod & watur, cristendam was wrouht, Holy writ witnesseþ hit wel, And in wille of soþfast þouht A Mon mai be cristened skil; Þat blod þat us alle bouht, Digne cristenyng gan vs del. At cristenyng, crist for-ȝat vs nouht, His blessede blod whon we gan fel. Maiden, Moder, and Wyue, Þi fruit haþ ȝiuen vs baptem: Cristened we weore In Red[de] rem, Whon his bodi bledde on þe Beem Of Cipresse and Olyue. (35) As Ihesu seide to Nichodemus, 'But a Barn be twyȝes born, Whon domus-day schal blowen his bemus, He may elles liggen loddere for-lorn. ffurst of a wombe þer reuþe remus; Siþþe in a font þer synne awey is schorn.' I was cros to monnes quemus, I bar þe fruit þow bar bi-forn ffor þi beryng Al one. But ȝif I hedde I-boren him eft, ffrom riche reste mon hedde beo-reft. In a loren logge I-left, Ay to grunte and grone. (36) Þou art I-Crouned heuene quene, Þorw þe burþe þat þou beere; Þi garlond is al of graces grene, Helle, Emperesse, in heuene Empere; I am a Relyk þat shineþ shene, Men wold wite wher þat I were. At þe parlement wol I bene, On domes-day prestly a-pere, Whon Ihesu schal seye riht þere, 'Trewely, vppon þe Roode tre, Mon, I dyede for þe. Mon, what hastou don for me To beon my frendly feere?' (37) At þe parlement, shul putten vp pleynyng, Hou Maydenes fruit on me gan sterue, Spere & spounge and sharp nayling Þorw þe harde hat þe heued shal kerue, Shul preie to þat rihtful kyng; Vche mon schal haue as þei a-serue; Rihtful schul ryse to riche restyng, Truyt and tripet to helle shal sterue. Mayden, Meoke and Mylde, God haþ taken in þe his fleschly trene; I bar þi fruit leoþi and lene; Hit is riht þe Roode helpe to a-rene Wrecches þat wraþþe þi chylde." (38) ÞE queen a-cordet wiþ þe cros, And aȝeyn him spak no more speche. Þe queen ȝaf þe Cros a cos; Þe ladi of loue, loue gan seche, Þeiȝ hire fruit on him were diȝt to dros, Whon rendyng ropus gan him reche. Cristes cros haþ kept vs from los, Maries preyers, And God, vr leche, Þe qween and þe Cros acorde. Þe qween bar furst, þe cros afturward, To fecche folk from helleward, On holy stayers to steyen vpward, And regne wiþ God vr lorde. (39) ÞE Clerk þat fourmed þis figour, Of Maries wo to wite som, He saih him-self þat harde stour, Whon godes armus weore rent aroun. Þe Cros is a cold Creatour, And euere ȝit haþ ben def and dom. Þeiȝ þis tale beo florisshed with faire flour, I preue hit on Apocrafum, ffor witnesse was neuer foundet Þat neuere cristes cros spak; Oure ladi leide on him no lak; Bot to pulte þe deuel abak, We speke hou crist was woundet. (40) IN ffleschly wede, God ganMS. gam him hede, Of Mylde May, Was bore to blede, As Cristes Crede Soþly wol say; On a stokly stede He Rod, we Rede, In Red Array; ffrom deueles drede, Þat Duyk vs lede, At domes-day,These 4 lines are written as 4 stanzas, aab, in the MS. See st. 1. Whon peple schal parte and pace To heuene halle, or to helle woode, Cristes cros and cristes blode, And Marie preiers þat ben ful goode, Grant vs þe lyf of grace! Amen!Explicit disputacio inter Mariam Et Crucem, secundum Apocrafum. LIII. Susannah, or Seemly Susan.

[28 alliterative Stanzas of thirteen: abab abab, cdddc, the last adding a couplet aa.]

(1) Þer was in Babiloine a bern, in þat borw riche, Þat was a Ieuȝ ientil, & Ioachin he hiht; He was so lele in his lawe, þer liued non him liche; Of alle riche arayes, þat renkeMS. þat renke arayes (Gollancz) he was riht; His Innes & his orchardus were with a dep dich, Halles & herbergages, heiȝ vppon heiht. To seche þoru þat cite, þer nas non sich, Of erbus, and of erberi, so auenauntliche I-diht Þat day, Wiþ-Inne þe sercle of sees Of Erberi, and Alees, Of alle Maner of trees Soþely to say. (2) ¶ He hed a wif hiȝt Susan, was sotil and sage; Heo was Elches douȝtur, eldest and eyre, Louelich & liliewhit, on of þat lynage, Of alle fason of foode, frelich and feire; Þei lerned hire lettrure of þat langage, Þe Maundement of Moises þei marked to þat may, To þe Mount of Synai þat went in Message Þat þe Trinite bi-tok of tables a peire To Rede. Þus þei lerne hire þe lawe, Cleer Clergye to knawe; To God stod hire gret awe, Þat wlonkest in weede. (3) ¶ He hedde an orchard newe, þat neiȝed wel nere, Þer Iewus with Ioachim priueliche gon playe, For he real & riche, of rentes euer þere, Honest and auenaunt, and honorablest aye, I-wis þer haunted til her hous, hende, ȝe mai here, Two demers[MS. do|mus] of þat lawe, þat dredde were þat day, Preostes and presidens, preised als peere, Of whom vr souerein lord sawes gan say, And tolde How heor wikkednes comes, Of þe wrongwys domes Þat þei haue gyue to gomes, Þis Iuges of olde. (4) ¶ Þus þis dredful demers on daies þider drewe, Al for gentrise and Ioye of þat Iuwesse, To go in his gardeyn, þat gayliche grewe: To fonge flourus and fruit, þouȝt þei no fresse; And whon þei seiȝ Susan, semelich of hewe, Þei weor so set vppon hire, miȝt þei not sese, Þei wolde enchaunte þat child, hou schold heo eschewe; And þus þis cherlus vnchaste, in chaumbre hir chese Wiþ chere. Wiþ two Maidenes al on, Semelyche Suson, On dayes in þe merion, Of Murþes wol here. (5) ¶ Whon þeos perlous prestes perceyued hire play, Þo þouȝte þe wrecches to bewile þat worly in wone; Heore wittes wel wai-wordus þei wrethen awai, And turned fro his teching, þat teeld is in trone. ffor siht of here souerayn, soþli to say, Heore hor heuedus fro heuene þei hid apon one; Þei cauȝt, for heor couetyse, þe cursyng of kai; ffor riȝtwys Iugement recordet þei none, Þey two. Euery day bi day, In þe Pomeri þei play, Whiles þei mihte Susan assay, To worchen hire wo. (6) ¶ In þe seson of somere, with Sibelle and Ione, Heo greiþed hire til hire gardin, þat growed so grene; Þer lyndes and lorers were lent vpon lone, Þe sauyne and sypres, selcouþ to sene, Þe palme and þe poplere, þe pirie, þe plone, Þe Iunipere ientel, Ionyng bi-twene, Þe rose ragged on rys, richest on Rone, I-þeuwed with þe þorn, trinaunt to sene, So tiht. Þer weore Pope-iayes prest, Nightyngales vppon nest, Bliþest Briddes o þe best, In Blossoms so briht. (7) ¶ Þe Briddes, in Blossoms, þei beeren wel loude, On olyues and amylliers, and al kynde of trees: Þe popeiayes perken, and pruynen for proude; On peren and pynappel, þei ioyken in pees, On croppus of canel, keneliche þei croude; On grapes þe goldfinch þei gladen and glees. Þus schene briddus in schawe schewen heore schroude; On ffirres and fygers, þei fongen heore seetes In ffay. Þer weore growyng so grene, Þe Date wiþ þe Damesene; Turtils troned on trene, By sixti, I sayȝ. (8) ¶ Þe fyge and þe filbert were fodemed so fayre, Þe chirie and þe chestein, þat chosen is of hewe, Apples and Almaundus, þat honest are of ayre, Grapus and garnettes, gayliche þei grewe. Þe costardes comeliche in cuþþes þei cayre, Þe Britouns, þe Blaunderers, Braunches þe bewe, ffele flourus and fruit, frelich of flayre, With wardons winlich, and walshenotes newe, Þey waled. Ouer heor hedes gon hyng Þe wince and þe wederlyng; Spyces speden to spryng, In Erbers enhaled. (9) ¶ Þe chyue and þe chollet, þe chibolle, þe cheue, Þe chouwet, þe cheuerol, þat schaggen on niht; Þe persel, þe passenep, poretes to preue, Þe pyon, þe peere, wel proudliche I-piht; Þe lilye, þe louache, launsyng wiþ leue, Þe sauge, þe sorsecle, so semeliche to siht; Columbyne and Charuwe, clottes þei creue, With Ruwe and Rubarbe, Ragget ariht, No lees; Daysye and Ditoyne, Ysope and Aueroyne, Peletre and Plauntoyne, Proudest In pres. (10) ¶ Als þis schaply þing, ȝede in hire ȝarde Þat was hir hosbondus, and hire þat holden with hende, "Nou folk be faren from us, þar us not be ferde; Aftur myn oynement warliche ȝe weende; Aspieþ nou specialy þe ȝates ben sperde, ffor we wol wassche us I-wis bi þis welle strende." ffor-þi þe wif werp of hir wedes vn-werde; Vndur a lorere ful lowe þat ladi gan leende So sone. By a wynliche welle, Susan caste of hir kelle; Bote feole ferlys hire bi-felle Bi Midday or none. (11) ¶ Nou were þis domus men derf drawen in derne, Whiles þei seo þat ladi was laft al hire one; fforte heilse þat hende, þei hiȝed ful ȝerne; With wordus þei worshipe þat worliche in wone: "Wolt þou, ladi, for loue, on vre lay lerne, And vndur þis lorere ben vr lemmone? Ȝe ne þarf wonde for no wiȝt vr willes to werne; ffor alle gomus þat scholde greue, of gardin ar gone In ffeere. Ȝif þou þis neodes deny, We schal telle trewely, We toke þe wiþ a-voutri Vnder þis Lorere." (12) ¶ Þen Susan was serwful, and seide in hire þouȝt, "I am with serwe bi-set on eueriche syde: Ȝif I assent to þis sin, þat þis segges haue souȝt, I be bretenet and brent in baret to byde; And ȝif I nikke hem with nai, hit helpeþ me nouȝt: Such toret and teone takeþ me þis tyde. Are I þat worthliche wrethe,[MS. wreche] þat al þis world wrouȝt, Betere is wemles weende of þis world wyde." Wiþ þis, Þo Cast heo a Careful cri, Þis loueliche Ladi: Hir seruauns hedde selli, No wonder I-wis. (13) ¶ Whon kene men of hir court comen til hir cri, Heo hedde cast of hir calle, and hire keuercheue; In at a priue posterne þei passen in hi, And findes þis prestes wel prest, her poyntus to preue: Þo seide þe loselle a-loude to þe ladi, "Þou hast gon wiþ a gome, þi god to greue, And ligge with þi lemon In a-voutri: Bi þe lord and þe lawe þat we onne leeue," Þey swere. Alle hire seruauns þei shont, And stelen a-wey in a stont; Of hire weore þei neuer wont Such wordes to here. (14) ¶ Hir kinrede, hir cosyns, and al þat hire knewe, Wrong handes I-wis, and wepten wel sore, Sykeden for susan, so semeliche of hewe; Al onwyse of þat wyf, wondred þei wore. Þei dede hire in a dungon, þer neuer day dewe, While domus men were dempt, þis dede to clare, Marred in Manicles þat made wer newe, Meteles, whiles þe Morwen to Middai & mare, In drede. Þer com hir fader so fre, Wiþ al his affinite; Þe prestes sauns pite, And ful of ffalshede. (15) ¶ Þo seide þe Iustises on bench to Ioachim þe Iewe, Þat was of Iacobus kynde, gentil of dedes; "Let senden aftur Susan, so semelych of hewe, Þat þou hast weddet to wif, wlankest in wedes. Heo was in trouþe, as we trowe, tristi and trewe; Hir herte holliche on him þat þe heuene hedes." Þus þei brouȝt hire to þe barre, hir bales to brewe. Nouþur dom ne deþ, þat day heo ne dredes Als þare. Hir hed was ȝolow as wyre, Of gold fyned wiþ fyre; Hire scholdres schaply and schire, Þat bureliche was bare. (16) ¶ Nou is Susan in sale, sengeliche arayed In a selken schert, with scholdres wel schene. Þo Ros vp with rancour þe Renkes reneyed; Þis comelich accused with wordes wel kene: Homliche on hir heued, heor hondus þei leyed,— And heo wepte for wo, no wonder I wene,— "We schul presenten þis pleint, hou þou euer be paied, And sei sadliche þe soþ, riȝt as we haue sene, O Sake." Þus wiþ cauteles waynt, Preostes presented þis playnt; Ȝit schal trouþe hem a-taynt, I dar vnder-take. (17) ¶ "Þorw-out þe pomeri, we passed us to play,— Of preiere and of penaunce was vre purpose;— Heo com with two Maidens, al richeli þat day, In riche robus arayed, red as þe rose. Wylyliche heo wyled hir wenches a-way, And comaunded hem kenely þe ȝates to close. Heo eode to a ȝong mon in a valay,[alterd from valey] Þe semblaunt of Susan wolde non suppose, ffor soþ. Be þis cause þat we say, Heo wyled hir wenches a-way; Þis word we witnesse for ay, Wiþ tonge and wiþ toþ. (18) ¶ Whon we þat semblaunt seiȝ, we siked wel sare,[alterd from sore] ffor sert of hir souureyn, and for hir owne sake; Vr copus weore cumberous, and cundelet vs care, But ȝit we trinet a trot, þat traytur [to] take. He was borlich and bigge, bold as a bare, More miȝti mon þen we, his Maistris to Make. To þe ȝate ȝaply þei ȝeoden wel ȝare, And he lift vp þe lach, and leop ouer þe lake, Þat ȝouthe. Heo ne schunte for no schame, But bouwed aftur for blame. Heo nolde cuyþe vs his name, ffor craft þat we couþe." (19) ¶ Nou heo is dampned on deis, with deol þauȝ hir deu[e], And hir domus men vnduwe do hir be with-drawen: Loueliche heo louted, and lacched hir leue, At kynred and cosyn þat heo hed euere i-knawen,[alterd from knowen] Heo asked Merci with mouþ in þis mischeue: "I am sakeles of syn," heo seide in hir sawen; "Grete god of his grace, ȝor gultus for-ȝiue, Þat doþ me derfliche be ded and don out of dawen Wiþ dere. Wolde god þat I miht Speke wiþ Ioachim a niht, And siþen to deþ me be diht, I charge hit not a pere." (20) ¶ Heo fel doun flat in þe flore, hir feere whon heo fond, Carped to him kyndeli, as heo ful wel couþe: "I-wis I wraþþed þe neuere, at my witand, Neiþer in word ne in werk, in elde ne in ȝouþe," Heo keuered vp-on hir kneos, and cussed his hand, "ffor I am dampned, I ne dar disparage þi mouþ." Was neuer more serwful segge, bi se nor bi sande, Ne neuer a soriore siht, bi norþ ne bi souþ, Þo þare. Þei toke þe ffeteres of hire feete, And euere he cussed þat swete: "In oþer world schul we mete:" Seide he no mare. (21) ¶ Þen Susan þe serwfol seide uppon hiȝt, Heef hir hondus on hiȝ, bi-held heo to heuene: "Þou maker of Middelert þat most art of miht, Boþe þe sonne and þe see, þou sette vppon seuene; Alle my werkes þou wost, þe wrong and þe riht, Hit is nedful nou þi names to nempne Seþþe I am deolfolich dampned, and to deþ diht. Lord, herteliche tak hede, and herkne my steuene So ffre! Seþþe þou maiȝt not be sene Wiþ no fleschliche eyene, Þou wost wel þat I am clene; Haue Merci nou on me!" (22) ¶ Nou þei dresse hire to deþ with-outen eny drede, And lede forþ þat ladi, louesum of lere. Grete god, of his grace, of gultes[? gyftes, G.] vngnede, Help with þe holi gost, and herde hir preyere. He directed þis dom, and þis delful dede, To Danyel þe prophete, of dedes so dere, Such ȝiftes god him ȝaf in his ȝouþehede: Ȝit failed hit a fourteniht ful of þe ȝere, Nouht layne. Þo criede þat freoly foode, "Whi spille ȝe Innocens blode?" And alle þe[i] stoteyd and stode, Þis ferlys to frayne. (23) ¶ "What signefyes, gode sone, þese sawus þat þou seis?" Þus þese Maisterful men [with] mouþes can mele. "Þei be fendus, al þe frape, I sei hit in feiþ; And in folk of I[s]rael be foles wel fele. Vmbiloke ȝou, lordes; such lawes ben leiþ; Me þinkeþ ȝor dedes vnduwe, such domus to dele. Aȝein to þe ȝild-halle ȝe[MS. þe] gomes vn-greiþ; I schal, be proces apert, disproue þis a-pele ffor nede. Lat twinne hem in two, For now wakneþ heor wo; Þei schal graunte, ar þei go, Al heore falshede." (24) ¶ Þei diseuered hem sone, and sette hem sere; And sodeynly askede, þei brouȝt in-to þe sale; Bi-fore þis ȝonge prophete þis preost gon apere, And he him apeched sone with chekes wel pale, "Þou hast I-be presedent, þe peple to steere; Þou dotest nou on þin olde tos in þe dismale. Now schal þi conscience be knowen, þat euer was vnclere; Þou hast in babiloygne on benche brewed muche bale, Wel bolde. Nou schal ȝor synnes be seene, Of ffals domes bi-deene, ffor þeose In Babiloyne han bene Iugget of Olde. (25) ¶ Þou seidest þou seȝe Susanne sinned in þi siht. Tel nou me trewly, vnder what tre?" "Mon, bi þe muche god, þat most is of miht, Vndur a Cyne, soþli my-seluen I hir se." "Nou þou lyest in þin hed, bi heuen vppon hiht! An Angel with a naked swerd þe neiȝes wel nere; He haþ brandist his brond brennynde so briȝt, To Marke þi middel at a Mase in more þen in þre, No lese. Þou Brak godes Comaundement, To sle such an Innocent Wiþ eny fals Iuggement Vn-duweliche on dese." (26) ¶ Nou is þis domus-mon with-drawen with-outen eni drede, And put in-to prison aȝeyn in-to place. Þei brouȝten þe toþur forþ, whom þe barn bede, To-fore þe folk and þe faunt freli of face: "Cum forþ, þou corsed caytif, þou Canaan!" he sede; "Bi-cause of þi couetise þou art in þis case. Þou hast disceyuet þi-self with þin oune dede; Of þi wit for a wyf, bi-wiled þou wase In wede. Þou sey nou, so mote þou þe, Vnder what kynde of tre, Semeli Susan þou se Do þat derne dede? (27) ¶ Þou gome of gret elde, þin hed is grei hored; Tel hit me treweli, ar þou þi lyf tyne." Þo þat roþli cherl ruydely rored, And seide bi-fore þe prophet, "þei pleied bi a prine." "Nou þou liest loude, so helpe me vr lord! ffor fulþe of þi falshed þou schalt ha euel pine; Þou and þi cursed cumpere, ȝe mou not a-corde. Ȝe schul be drawen to þe deþ þis dai ar we dine So Raþe. An Angel is neih honde, Takes þe domes of ȝor honde, Wiþ a Brennynge bronde To byte ȝou baþe." (28) ¶ Þen þe folk of Israel felle vppon knes, And lowed þat loueli lord þat hire þe lyf lent. Alle þe gomus þat hire god wolde gladen and glees, Þis prophete so pertli proues his entent. Þei trompe bifore þis traiturs, and traylen hem on tres Þorow-out þe Cite, bi comuyn assent. Hose leeueþ on þat lord, þar him not lees, Þat þus his seruaunt saued þat schold ha be schent In Sete. Þis ferlys bi-fel In þe days of Danyel: Þe pistel witnesseþ wel Of þat profete. Ihesu crist, wiþ mylde steuene, Graunt us alle þe blisse of heuene! Amen! LIV. Testamentum Christi. MS. Vernon, Fol. 317 b. "Jhesu, kyng of heuene and helle, Mon and wommon, I wol þe telle What loue I haue I-don to þe; Loke what þou hast don to me! Of alle Joye þou weore out pult With resoun and wiþ þin oune gult; Pore þou weore I-dryuen a-way, As a best þat goþ on-stray. ffrom my kindome I com doun, Te seche þe from toun to toun; Min heritage, þat is so fre, In þi mischef to ȝiue hit þe. And whon þat ȝifte I ȝiuen þe scholde, I dude as þe lawe wolde: To a Mayden I meked me, ffor no chalange schulde be; wel dernely I kepte þe and me Til I my tyme wolde se, ffourti wokes and fourti dawes, To folfulle þe olde lawes. þe Mayden was trewe, mylde & fre, Heo receyued me for þe. þorw my monhede and my grace, þus com sesyng furst on place. And whon þe sesyng was do so, fful gret envye hedde þenne þi fo; þenne Belsebub and Sathanas Hedde gret wonder whi hit was; þei fondede me wiþ felony, wiþ pride, couetyse and gloteny, And wel þei wuste I was a mon; But synne in me founde þei non. Harde þei þreted me in her þouȝt, þat ilke sesyng schulde be deore abouȝt; þei sende heore sergeauns with maystrie, with wo and serwe me to distruye, And wel þei founde hem geyned nouȝt. Anoþur help was in my þouȝt: More siker þe to make Aȝeyn þi foos, ful of wrake, Heuene and eorþe in present To make a chartre of feffement; In such a maner þen moste hit be þat I moste ȝiue my lyf for þe: ffor þou art ded, and I am lyf, And I moste dye to ȝiue þe lyf. Mony a wei haue I go In hongur and þurst, colde and wo, þritti winter and more þen two, Or my dede weore al I-do Ne mihte I fynde no parchemyn ffor to laste wiþ-outen fyn; Bote, as good loue bad me do, Min oune skin I tok þer-to. To gete me frendes, I ȝaf good mede; So doþ þe pore þat haþ gret nede: On a þoresday a soper I made, Boþe frend and fo to maken glade, wiþ mete and drynk to soulus fode, with holi word my flesch and blode: And þis I made for Monkynde, Mi loue-dedes to haue in mynde: Hoc facite in meam commemoracionem. Or I fro þe bord a-ras, Of my frend bi-trayed I was; He fond me goande in þe way, As þe Leoun goþ to his pray: Susceperunt me sicut leo paratus ad predam. A curtul I hedde and cloþus mo, And sone I hedde hem alle for-go: So hedde I þis chartre writen, þo was I naked, wel may ȝe witen; þei casten lot as wolde bi-falle, wheþer on schulde haue hem or parten alle. ffrend and fo þat with me metten, In my neode alle me for-letten; And to a piler I was I-piht, Togget and tauwed al þe niht, And wasschen in myn owne blode, And strayte I-streynet on þe Rode, Streyned to druye on Rode-tre, As parchemyn oweþ for to be. Here now, and ȝe schul witen Hou þis chartre was I-writen. Vppon myn neb was mad þe ynke wiþ þe Jewes spittyng on me to stynke. þe penne þat þe lettre was wiþ writen, weore scourges þat I was wiþ smiten. How mony lettres þeron beon, Red, and þou miht wite and seon: ffif þousend foure hundred fyfti and ten woundus on me, boþe blak and wen. To schewen on alle my loue-dede, Mi-self I wole þis chartre rede. Ȝe Men þat gon bi þis weye, A-bydeþ a luytel, I ow preye, And redeþ alle on þis parchemyn, ȝif eny serwe beo lyk to myn: O nos omnes qui transitis per uiam, Stondeþ and hereþ þis chartre red, whi I am woundet and al for-bled. 'Sciant presentes & futuri, wite ȝe þat are and schal be-tyde, þat Jhesu crist wiþ blodi syde, þat was boren in Bedleem And offred in to Jerusalem, þe kynges sone of heuene aboue, with mi ffadres wille and loue Made a sesyng whon I was born, To þe, Monkynde, þat was forlorn. wiþ my cha[r]tre here present I make nou a confirmament: þat I haue graunted and ȝiuen To þe, Monkynde, with me to liuen In my Rewme of heuene-blis, To haue and to holden wiþ-outen mis, In a condicion, ȝif þou be kynde And my loue-dedes haue in Mynde; ffre to haue, and fre to holde, wiþ al þe purtynaunce to wolde, Myn heritage þat is so fre. ffor homage ne for feute No more wol I aske of þe, But a foure-leued gras ȝeld þou me: Olef is soþfast schrifte, þe toþur is for synne herte-smerte, þe þridde is "I wol no more do so," þe feorþe is "drede god euermo"; whon þeose four leues to-geder ben set, A "trewe loue" men clepen hit. Of þis Rente boo nouȝt be-hynde, ffor þorw þe ȝer þou may hit fynde; Elles mai þou not fynde hit in my wounde, ffor þer mai "trewe loue" wel be founde. And ȝif þou falle and gretly mis-take, Mi dede I wole neuer forsake; And ȝif þou amende þe, and Merci craue, þin heritage ȝut schalt þou haue.' Þe seles þat hit was seled wiþ, þei were grauen vp-on a stiþ; Of gold nor seluer weore þei nouȝt, Of stel and Iren were þei wrouȝt: with þe spere of stel myn herte þei stongen þorw myn herte and þorw my longen; Iren nayles þurleden me þorw feet and hondes to þe tre. Þe selyng-wax was deore abouȝt, At myn herte rote hit was souȝt, And tempred al wiþ vermiloun Of my rede blod þat ran doun: Factum est cor meum tanquam cera liquescens in medio ventris mei. ffyue seles weore I-set þeron: ffader and sone, god and mon; þe fyfþe is for to leeue most, þat icomen of þe holygost. In pleyn pouwer þi stat to make, A croune on myn hed [I gon] to take Of þornus, in toknyng þat I am kyng And freoly may ȝiue þe þi þing: þis witnesseþ þis Jewes alle; On kneos þei gonne to me falle, And seiden loude on heore scornyng, "Heil be þou, lord, and Jewes kyng!" Bi-twene two men þis [chartre] was seeled; þei boþe weore seke; þat on I heled, Bi-twene two þeues on hih I-piht, In toknyng þat I am mon of miht, þat Norþ and West on heiȝ hille þat I may deme boþe gode and ille, Quia neque ab oriente neque ab occidente. A-þhurst I was ful sore I-swonken, þe beuerege moste nede be dronken: A loue-drynke I asked of þe; Eysel and galle þou ȝaf to me: þis witnesseþ Matheu and Jon, Luk and Mark and monyon, And nomeliche my moder swete; ffor heo lafte neuere teres to lete: Ar þis chartre writen was, fful ofte heo seide allas allas! So bare I was of worldes gode, whon I schulde dye on þe Rode, þat I hedde nouȝt wher-of to take, Mi testament wher-of to make, But of my leoue moder dere: heo stod bi me with serwful chere; And whon I my cosyn hire bi-toke, heo caste me mony a serwful loke. In knowleching I made a cri, "Pater, pater, lamaȝabatani." Bi-hold þou, mon, with herte and eȝe, ffor þi loue hou I schal dye: Consummatum est, þis chartre is doon. Mon, þou hast ouercome þi foon! To helle I wente, þis chartre to schewe Bi-fore þi fo, Sathanas þe schrewe; þo he was schent and brouht to grounde, wiþ nayles bored and speres wounde, A strayt couenaunt I-mad þer was Bi-twene me and Sathanas: Al my catel to haue away, þat he me refte with false pray. A ȝein I com, and made a feste AMong þe leste and þe meste: A parti þo gunne knowe me, þat I was mon of gret pouste. þe feeste laste fourti dawes, To do men knowe my newe lawes; þat feeste was al of ioye and blis, þat Esterday ȝit cleped is. On endenture I lafte wiþ þe, þat euer þou schuldest siker be: In preostes hondes my flesch and blode, þat for þe dyede on þe Rode. A by-keye I tok þe also: þe token þat I was on I-do, To bere with þe wher þat þou go; þenne þar þe not drede of þi fo. To my fader I moste gon, ffor al his wille haue I don. A cote-armour I bar with me, ffor þat I tok of þy liuere; þe cloþ was riche and ful fyn, þe chaumpe hit was of red camelyn. A ful feir mayden to me hit wrouȝt; Oute of hire boure I hit brouȝt; Poudret with fyue roses rede, ffyf woundes þat I þoled dede. whon I come eft aȝeyn to þe, þer-bi þou maiȝt knowe me. Þeose þat beoþ of rente be-hynde, And þeose dedes haue not in mynde, fful sore may þei ben a-dred whon þis cha[r]tre schal be red: Alle þeose schul go to helle-pyne; And with me to blisse schul go alle myne. Pay þi rente, keep þe from gylt, Cum and cleyme whon þat þou wilt, þe blisse þat loste oure frende." to þe whuche blisce, crist vs bringe withouten ende!A. M. E. N. Amen. MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 111, back). Wo-so wil ouer-rede this boke, and with gostly eyen ther-on loke, to other scole dare he not wende, to saue his soule fro þe fende, .;. Then for to do as this boke tellith; for holi wryt for-sothe it spellith. ther-for y pray yow for charite that this boke shal rede or se, that your herte & al your mynde kep derworthly that ye here fynde; and ful-filleth it in dede that ye shal in this boke rede!— .;. Now ye shal here anon-righte, your sauyour speke to yow as-tyte wordes of a chartour þat he hath wroght, that ye may knowe in al your thoght. and who this boke can vnderstonde, teche it forth thurgh al the londe. Vntil other þat this hath not sene, to saue here soules right as here owne; els ye shal not with-outen Strif fro this world passe to þe lond of lyf. ¶ Now y wil be-gynne to rede þeron; his pes he yeue vs euery-chon! "Ihesu, lord of heuene and hell, man & womman, y wol yow tell, loke what loue y do to the, and loke what thu has do to me! .;. ffro paradise thu were out pilt, with care & sorwe þu were out spilt, forth thu were drawe a-way, as a beste that goth astray. ffro my right y cam a-doun, to seke the fro toune to toun, to helpe the in thy myschef— Derworth soule, þu art me lef!— myn heritage, that is so fre, in thi myschef to yef it the. And when this sesyng y yeue shulde, y dud as the Jewys wolde: .;. Til a mayde y be-toke me, when þat y conceuyd shuld be. the mayde was trewe, mylde & fre, she me receuyd for þe loue of the. nyne mo[n]thes with here y was, to make a-mendys for thi trespas, or y in to this world was born to saue man-kynde þat was forlorn. thurgh my vertu & my grace thus cam the sesyng first in place. .;. Virgyn Marie, mayden mylde, with me went thus gret with childe. and when this sesyng was al y-do, fful grete envy had thy foo, that cursed fende Sathanas, had gret wonder whi it was, whi y loued so moche the, that so vnkynde has ben to me; wroth he was, (it helped hym noght,) the to helpe was al my thoght. he tempted me in so gret foly, pride, couetise and glotony, and well he wist y was a man; but synne in me found he nan. for-sothe, right hard he thretid me that y shold dere abye for the, to destroye me thurgh his myght and put the for euer out of my sight. .;. Now, derworth soule, herken to me[Carta feoffamenti, in margin] and a new ioye shal y telle the: to make a charter of feffement, heuene & erthe shal be present; but in soche a maner it most be þat y shal yelde my lyf for the; and when y am ded, man, be þu kynde, and haue this charter in þi mynde. for an enmy that hath the soght; but yet shal y the lese noght, for y wol dye for thyMS. for thy for thi foly, and bryng þe in to my company. I am a-lyue and thu art ded, y wol yeue my lyf ayenst þe qued; for to helpe the y am redy, to saue the euer fro thyn enmy. for many a way, [man,] haue y go, in hunger, thurste, colde & wo, xxxti wynter and thre þerto, or my disese wereMS. well al y-do. parchement to fynde wyst y none, to make a charter ayenst þi fone that wil leste with-oute ende: .;. herken now to my word hende! But, as trewe loue bade me do, my owne skynne y toke þerto. and when y had so y-do, wel fewe frendis had y tho; to gete me frendis y yeaf gret mede, as doth þe pore þat hath gret nede. .;. but to yeue the y had no more, for þi soule that was for-lore, then my soule to yeue for the, that for the dyed apon a tre. Apon a thursday a soper y made to frend & foo, to make hem glade, of bred & wyne the sacrament, for euer to be my Testament,[Nota bene de sacramento in margin.] which is my flesh & my blode, to tho that lyuen in mylde mode, And to þo that dyen out of charite their dampnacion euer to be. .;. Here wol y foure wordes yow teche; and to þe peple loke ye hem preche: Hoc facite in meam commemoracionem; that they haue hem euer in mynde, here mede in heuene shal they fynde. thes wordes twocheth þe sacrament that men receueth, verrament. it semeth many, & is but one; it semeth bred, & it is none;nota bene it is quyk, & semeth ded: it is my body in fourme of bred. .;. This made y only for mankynde, my wonderful dedis to haue in mynde: who-so receueth it in clennes, Saued shal be, & com to blys; and to haue in mynde my passion, that shal be thi saluacion. .;. Or y fro the borde aros, of my disciple be-trayed y was. when y had soped, he ros anone; to grete maistris he gan gone, and brought them with hym in þe way, as a lyon þat goth a-boute his pray: Susceperuut [me] sicut leo paratus ad predam.textus .;. Anone they be-gunne to spoile me, and seid y shuld dye on a tre; my mantylle and other clothes mo, alle y had them sone for-go; they cast lot emonges them alle wheþer one shuld haue them, or parte hem alle. butal. So or Sone alle my clothes fro me thei token; and alle my frendis sone me for-soken; naked y Stod emong my fone; for other socoure had y none; redy they were me to despise,r. dysese but none þer were me for to plese. .;. They made scourges hard & grete, ther-with my body shuld be bete; and thogh y wold haue pleyned me, ther shuld to me no socour haue be. ful sore a-ferd, for-sothe y was, when they led me so gret a pas! To a piler y was bound al þe nyght, togged & betyn til day-light, and wasshen with myn owne blode, that al the erthe aboute cold stode. and so y stod bounden al the nyght, til on the morwe þat it was bright they Strayned me hard apon a tre, as parchement auxhte to be. .;. hereth now, & ye shal wetyn how this charter was y-writen: ouer al my face felle the enke, thornes in my hed gan to synke. the pennys that þe lettris writen. were scourges þat y was with smyten. How many lettris that ther-on bene, rede, and thu may wete & sene: V thousant thousant V.Cl & x thennota de vulneribus Christi (in margin). wondes in my body, boþe red & wan. ffor to shewe the of my loue-dede, my-self y wol here þe charter rede. O vos omnes qui transitis per viam, attendite & videte si est dolor sicut meus:textus (in margin) .;. Ye men that goth forth bi þe way, be-holde & se bothe nyght & day. and redith apon this parchemyn, yf any sorowe be as gret as myn. Stondeth & herkeneth þe charter red, why y am wonded & al for-bled. Sciant presentes & futuri.Carta Christi. .;. 'Wetyn þo here & tho þat be to come that Ihesus of naȝareth, god-is sone, Vnderstondeth wel & þo þat wol abide that Iesus hath a blody Syde, that born was in Beth[l]ehem and ouer-more offred in to Ierusalem, the kyngis sone of heuene a-boue, a mercyful fader that wel y loue. I made a Seisyng when y was born, to saue man-kynde that was forlorn. But with my charter here in present y make to mannys soule a feffement: that y haue y-graunted & yeue to mankynde, with me to lyue In my kyngdom of heuene-blys, to haue & holde with-outen mys, with this condicion, þat thu be kynde and my workes to haue in mynde, frely to haue, and frely holde, with al the purtenaunce to be holde, and in my blisse euer to dwelle for the rente þat y shal the telle. .;. Myn heritage that is so fre,nota hie de libero redditu Christi (in margin). for homage or els for fewte, no more wol y aske of the, but a iiij-levid gras yeld þu me: that one lef is verry shrifte; þat other is, for þi synne þe smerte; the thirde is, wille no more do so, the fourthe, þi penance mekely do; When thes levis to-geder ben set, a "trew-loue" men callen hit. Of this rent be not be-hynde: the way to heuene then may þu fynde; yf þu this rente truly pay me, my gret mercy I shal shewe to the. for if thu falle in gret mystake, my charter wol I þe not forsake; yf thu amende, and mercy craue, thyn heritage then shalt þu haue.' .;. Thes selys that it is selyd with, they were made alle at a Smyth; of golde ne Siluer were thei noght; of Stile and yren were they wroght: with a spere of Stile myn hert was stonge thurf my syde & thurf my lunge; apon my side they made a wonde, myn herte-blode ran doune to grounde; with yren nayles they smyten me thurghe fete & handes on þe rode-tre. .;. The selyng-wax was dere y-boght, at myn herte rote it was sought, al tempred with fyne vermylon of my red blode that ran adoun. Factum est cor meum tanquam cera liquessenseuangelium in medio ventris mei. .;. My sealis bene y-set ther-on: fader & sone, god and man, the firste, that is be-leve most, that y cam of the holy gost. ther-for here may thu now se þat y am a kyng of gret poste; in playn power thi state to make, a crowne of thornes on my hed y take: .;. This croune be-tokeneth y am a kyng and frely may yeue thyn owne thyng: this wittenesseth wel þe Iewys alle, on kneys they gonne be-fore me falle and lowde seyd in here Scornyng "al haylle thu lord, of Iewys kyng." .;. Be-twene ij thevis þe charter was selyd, bothe were syke, þat one was helyd, be-twene ij thevis high y-plight, in token that I was lord of myght; this be-tokeneth bothe good & ill, atte day of dome to saue or spill. .;. fful dry y was & thursted sore; but of soche drynke y myght no more: for aysel & galle they yeaf to me. but one drynke aske y of the: that þu be louyng toward þi foone— other drynke of þe aske y none; yf thu me loue, haue this in mynde: to þi enmyes thu be right kynde. ensample þu mayst take here of me: for loue of the y hong on a tre, But [seid] "my fader, y pray now the, apon myn enmyes thu haue pite;" And as y do, do thu to thyne, and saued shalt þu be fro helle-pyne. .;. Here [of] be wittenesse mo then on: Mark, Mathew, Luke and Iohn, and namely my moder swete, that for me blody terys gan lete. for, there she stode vnder the rode, she sawe my body al on blode that fro my fete vnto my hede y was not els but al blode-rede; No word to me þer myght she speke, it semed ny here herte wold breke; no wonder was thogh she were woo when she sawe me on þe crosse y-do. .;. ffor sorwe of here y made a cry and seid ful lowde "heli lamaȝaba|thany." anone she fell doune in sownyng, right be-fore me at myn endyng. the peynes that y suffred were ful sore, but for my moder they were the more. when y layd my hed here & there, my moder chaunged al here chere; ful fayn she wold haue holpe me, but for the Iewys it myght not be. my peynes were tho fulle smerte, the swerd of sorwe perced here herte; when to seynt Iohn y here be-toke, She cast on me a drewry loke, as y had here all forsake and to a-nother sone y had here take; And or this charter writen was, ful ofte she sayd alas alas. .;. Apon my shulder y leyd my hed when y drow fast to my ded; for so bare was y of worly good, when y shold [dye] apon the rood, that y ne had where-of to take, rest of my hed where-of to make. pore & riche, haue euer in mynde, when ye in this world no rest may fynde, what rest y han only for the, when y hong nayled apon a tre! wel may þu knowe þat y had non, for þer y stode amonge my foon. when thu amonge thi foen art broght, be redy to suffre with alle thi thoght. to stande at barre it is wel harde, as ye be worthy to haue rewarde: thu [þat] for me suffrest wrong, þu shal be sothely on my right hond; thu þat vengest the apon thi brother, thou standest not þer, but on þat other; and yf thu wilt the sothe knowe: right as þu sowest, so shalt þu mowe. .;. I fele me now so ful of woo, that out of this world y most go; with peynes of deth, hard am y bounde; my soule shal passe here in þis stounde. be-hold now, man, with herte & eye, for thi loue how y shal dye. y hong on crosse for loue of the: forsake thi synne for loue of me, mercy aske, and amende þe sone and y foryeue þe that is mysdone; for ful of mercy y am, truly, to alle tho that cryen mercy. What shal it greue to repente the and in endeles ioye to dwelle with me? .;. ffor tho that wil no mercy crye, they shal to helle when they dye. now when y haue one word spoke, myn eyen to-geder most y loke: thu Synful man, haue pite on me, for thyn owne sowle for charite! Thes wordes y most nedis speke, and then my herte shal to-breke: .;. Consum[m]atum est; þis charter is don. man, þu hast now ouer-come al þí foon. Anone y went to helle, þat charter to shewe be-fore Sathanas, þat olde shrewe: there y hym shent & broght to grounde thurgh my nayles pitous wounde. and after a cownant made þer was be-twene me and Sathanas: alle my catelle to haue away, that he be-rafte me with his pray. .;. The thirde day y made a fest to the moste and to the lest: the fest was of ioye & blys, that Ester-day called ys. one indenture y left to the, where-of þu shalt euer syker be: In prestys handes my fleshe & blode, that for the was hanged on þe rode.nota bene in margin. who-so-euer be-leveth ther-on, endeles payn shal he fynde non; al-thogh y dyed, yet dyeth not he, for he shal rise & lyue with me. .;. A wel faire thyng y tok þe also: a token of the crosse y was on do, to bere with the so where thu go, to kepe the euer fro thy foo. to my fader y most gone, for al his wille haue y done: I take my lef, ye haue me seyne; atte day of dome y come ageyne, man to deme after his wirke— this is the wille of al-holi kyrke— and euer after in ioye to dwelle, Saue to be fro the peyn of helle. .;. A cote-armuur I bere here with me, the which y toke of thy lyuere; this cote is riche & wel fyne, the champe is now of red satyne; a wel faire mayde me it be-tought and out of here boure I it broght; poudred it is with v. roses red, wondes y suffred with peynes of ded. .;. And when y come ageyn to the, bi this clothyng thu may know me. tho þat ben of this rent be-hynde, and my wondes wilnot haue in mynde, wel sore shal they bene a-dred when this charter shal be red; of the hy Justice be they ful ware, for-sothe thene shal he none spare, for alle þe synnes þat thu has wroght fram þi youthe, shalle be soght. for power of my fader y haue to saue alle thoo þat mercy craue. .;. Now pay thi rent, while þu has space, yf thu wilt of me haue grace; and yf thu dye ful sodenly, apon þi soule y shal haue mercy. A cownant is made betwene vs two: as I haue done, so most thu do. nota in margin: line 400 begins leaf 118.Loke what þi pater noster seith to the: "right as y foryeue, foryef þu me;" and do ther-after, yf thu wilt, so that thi soule be not spilt. .;. Apon al holi writ y may put me, where y be curteyse or no to the; be thu lerid or be thu lewde, the way to heuene y haue þe shewde by the texte of holy writ, in what place þu wilt seke it. ther-for y byd the pay thy rent, that with the fend þu be not shent; with me to blisse then shalt þu come, and in my blisse þu shalt wone. To that blisse y may the bryng, that of myght made al thyng."Explicit Testamentum Christi. [MS. much faded in parts, and hardly legible. When y stands for þ, it is printed þ.] Reg. 17, C xvii (leaf 112, back). He þat wyll rede ouer þis boke & with hys gostly high þer-in loke, To þer scole thare hym noȝt wende To sawe hys saule fro þe fende þan for to do as þis boke spelles, ffor holy wryte for sothe it telles. Ware-fore I pray ȝow for charyte, Ȝe þat þis bok sall rede or se, Wyt all ȝoure hart & al ȝoure mynd kepe dernely þat ȝe þer-in fynd, And ful-fylles it in dede þat ȝe sall in þis boke fynd & rede! Now sal ȝe here with-outyn delyte ȝoure sawyour spek to ȝou als-tyte A charter how mans saule as boght, þat ȝow most kepe with al ȝoure toght. to mak a charter be-heves mek thynge: parchemyn forsothe, pen, & ynke, Wax & cele, wytnes also, þe rent þat þu sal to þi lord do. Wen ȝe þis charge knaw vndyrstand, Telles it forthe in all þis land to oþer þat as it noȝt sene, to sawe þer saules & ȝoures be dene! fo[r] ȝe þat can & wyll noȝt teche Oþer men þer sawles to leche, Ȝe sal noȝt pase wiþ-outyn stryfe fro þis warlde to þe land of lyfe. Now wyl I begyn to rede þer-on— Ald youre pese now euer-ilkon!— "Ihesu, lord of heuen & helle, Man & woman I wyll þe tell, loke wat luf I af done for þe, & lok wat þu as done for me! After my-self þu was þe best, Of all creatures þou was þe fayrest; A fayrere creature myght neuer non be: Aftyre my-selfe made I þe. A place I toke þe þat was of charge, Paradyse, to play in at þi large. Bot for þou was vnbuxum to me, And toke a napull of þe tre þat I forbed þou suld noȝt take, þu was drywyn oute, & eue, þi make; Oute of paradys was þou qwytte; wiþ soro & care þan was þou knytte, And forthe þou was drywyn away, Als wauand best þat gos on stray. My holy aungell cherubyn, wiþ a burnyng swerde, þeder I sent hym; he ex[p]ellyd þe fro þen þedyre, And drawe þe out, þu wyst neuer wyder, bot trawylt aboute fro place to place, chargyd with sore, wyt-outyn solauce. Helpe þam-self sum-wat can ilk beste; bot of al oþer þu cowthe þe leste. And wen þou was so law kest, þat of any helpe þou hadyst þe lest, No to whan þou suld plene þe, In so mykyl thoght sette I þe, þat for þe ful fast my ded by-soght, for al þat I had to þe wroght: fro heuen to herthe I come don, to seke þe fro towne to town, to helpe þe in þi myschef, dere-worthy saule, þat was me lef; My blysful body þat [es] so fre, In þi myschef to gyf it þe. Bot ar I þat grace gyf þe suld, fyrst for þi luf dy I wold. vntyl a madyn I be-tak me fyrst wen I wold consawed be;— to knaw hyre name with-outyn mys, Mary, godes moder, called scho is.— þe maydyn was myld, trew & fre, Scho consaywed me for luf of þe. The next lines are damaged by wet.[Nyne monthes with hyr I was], to make amendys [for þi trespas], ar [I in to þis world was born] to sawe þe [man þat was forlorn]. throght my [vertu & my grace] þus come þe [sesyng fyrst in place]. vergyn mary, maydyn myld, wiþ me þus went scho gret with chyld. wen gabryell gret hyre [so] gentilly, Scho answerd with 'ecceancilla domini.' Anon scho was with chyld þore, a maydyn as scho was before. Bot wen þis was broght to hende, gret enwy þer-at had þe fende; þat cursyd fende, wyckyd satanas, Had gret wonder why it was þat hy suld do so mykyll for þe þat so vnkynd has bene to me. wrothe was—it helpys hym noght:— to dystroy þe was hys thoght. ad he ouer-come þee, þou may wele knawe he wolde af halden þe full law! He temp[t]yd me to gret foly, Pryd, cowetys, & glotony, for [he] wyst I[MS. I wyst I was I] was a man; Bot syn in me [ne] fonde he nan. for sothe, ful hard thert he me, þat bargan dere boght suld be; To put þe for euer out of my syght, He purpose hym bothe day & nyght. Bot, 2dere saule, her-kyn2[2_2 MS. dere worthy saule hye kyn] to me, And gode techyng I sal telle þe. I wyll mak a charter of feoffefment, Hewen & erthe sall be present. Bot in þat maner most it made be þat me most gyf my lyfe for þe; for leuer me has to dy, I-wysse, & bryng þe to my endles blysse, þan þu be lost euermore me fro, & to endles payne þe fende þe to. Bot wen I em ded, saule, be þou kynd, & af þis charter in þi mynd! for I wyll dy for þi foly, to bryng þe to my company. to helpe þe I em ay redy, & fayne to sawe þe fro þi enmy. Bot many a way, saule, af I gone, In hungyre & thyrst, & cald as stone, thyrty wynter &[MS. fully &] iij fully, wen my dysese was done trewly. to mak þi charter of þi wele-fare, parchemen to fynde wyst I neuer ware þat wyld last to þe warldes end;— harkyns now to my wordes hend!— Bot as trew loueMS. lyue bad me do, loke ware I af not done so. þis wordys are þus to vnderfong to lewed men in ynglys tong: My flesche trewly es mans fode, þat for mans saule dyed on þe rode; My blode for sothe þi drynk sal be, þat for þe was sched on þe rod[e] tre. wo-so it resaywes wyt-outyn mys, Sawyd sal he be, & cum to blys; he þat takys it vnworthy, & not for|thy[n]k, hys awne Iuggement he etys & drynk. for þou vnworthe resawes me, þu belewys noȝt þat I suld be he. Belewe þis wordes as ye say, Or þu ert damned for euer & ay; Bot þu belewe þis þat I þe telle, Body & saule þu gose to helle. My wordys ere þis þat I em he; wo be-lewys, blyssyd he be; wyt me sall dwel for euer I-wysse, þat sese me noȝt, & lewys in þisse. thynk on þis wordys, I charge þe, Als euer þu wyll sawed be; And put in þi mynd my passyon, wylk sall be þi saluacyon. At ilk a tyme thynk þu so, And so sall þu ouer-come þi fo; It es þe best leson þat þou may lere— þi gostly enmy aw to fere;— for þe grettest temptacyon, wyt þis þou may lay all don. af it in mynde stedfastly, And þu sall af þi purpos, trewly. þus dyd my dyscipulles þat supped wiþ me; And als I bad þam do, so do ȝe! Bot or þat I fra þe borde rase, Of my dyscypulleMS. dyscypulles betrayd I was: Wen he had supyd, he rase o-none; To þe maysteres of law gun he gone, And broght þam wiþ hym in þat way, Als a lyon þat gase about hys pray. And wen þai were þedyre comen, þai layd hande on me, & me nomen. Onone þai be-gan to spoyle me, And sayde I suld dye on tre; My mantyl & oþer clothes mo, þai had þam sone tane me fro; þai cast lotys how it suld falle, wylk on suld af, or parte þam halle. Sone al my clothes þ[a]i fro me toke, & all my frendes me for-soke; Nakyd I stode emong my fone, for oþer socur had I none; Redy þai were [me] for to dysese, bot no þer was me for to plese. þai made schourge scharp & grete, ware-wiþ þai suld my body bete. be-syde I stod, & saw all þis; ful sore I gan me drede I wys; Gyf þat I wold af plened me, to me suld no socure af be. Sone me to slo, acordyd þai ware. to my fader I made my prayere: 'fader of mercy! comforte af I none; Al my dyscypules fro me ere gone; þe iewes cry fast I sall be dede: do þi wyll, fader, I can no noþer rede! to þe I mak my mone, I em welle spylte; to-morne sall I dye for mans gylte.' þan myght I noþer spek nor gon; I was so sore bette, I fell don onon. þai sayd: 'spede vs fast in þis stond, þat he to a pelere fast were bound!' Al ful of mys-comfort for sothe I was, wen þai led me forthe so gret pase. To a pelar þai band me sore, On me þai had no pyte þore; 'be mery,' þai sayd, '& mak gode chere! we are þi frendes all þat stande here; we ere þai þat sall þe noȝt forsak tyll on a cros þi dede þu tak; we sall neuer forsak þe, to þu to a tre nayled be.' þe soro I had, myght no tong tell: Al þat I dyd, was to sawe fro hell. So stode I bondyn all þat nyght, to of þe morne þat it was day-lyght: to me þai come & sayd: 'gode morne! Mak mery, for ded es sworne.' Onone þai bet me full rewfully, And als a ded man þai lefe me, trewly. A, saule, for þe tholyd I þis lasche! My [blod] ran oute at ilka dasche, þat fro my fot vnto my hede was not els bot all blode rede; for bathe by-hynd & als be-fore, all for-betyn was I þore. wo loked on my wysage, þai myght se a refull ymage; I telle here in gode trewthe, þai myght of me a had rewthe! wen I was lesyd fro þat pylere, for sothe I had a rewful chere, for alle aboute me, þer I stode, þer was no thyng bot lyuered blode. to me þai spak with boste chere: 'þis cros to þe mounte þou sal bere!' were-opon þai strened me Als gode parchemen aw to be. here now, & ȝe sall wyttyn how þis charter was þus wrytyn. On al my face fell blak ynk, wen þe thornes in my hed gan synk. þis pennys þat þis lettyrs wrytyn, was þe scorcheges þat I was wiþ smytyn. How many letters on þe charter be, Byde & þu may wyte & see: v Ml iiij c lx, als I telle can,[5,460] were wondys blody rede & wan. And for to schaw þe my luf-dede, My self wylle þe charter rede." goddis son of heuen, þe sothe to say, þis wordy[s] spake on gode fryday, pyned on þe mounte of calwery, to þe pepull þat passyd hym by: "Ȝe all þat passe here by me, takys hete, & lok vp with ȝoure hee, And rede opon þis parchemyne, If any soro be lyke to myne. tak hete, & here þis charter be redde, how I am wondyd & fo[r]bledde. 'knaw ȝe þat here ere, & forto come, þat I, ihesus of naȝaret, godys sone, as gyn for euer, & grauntyd, and be þis charter confermed, how mans sawle in my ioy to belde, wyt all þe purtenance þer-with to welde, to af & to hald with-outy[n] mysse þat for-sayd place, heuen-blysse, In þat blyssed place for euer to dwell, for þe rent þat I sall þe tell, þat blysfull place þat is so fre, with-outyn omage or fewte. for, sone, I aske of þe no more, bot a foure-lewed gyrsse pay me þer|fore: þe fyrst lewe es schryft so smert; þe secund, for þi syn, soro of hart; þe thyrd es 'I wyll no more do so'; þe ferthe es penance ewened þer-to. wen þis lewes ere to-geder knytte, a 'trew-luf' men may calle itte. Of þis rent be þu noȝt be-hynd, þe way to heuen if þu wyll wynd! And als þou þis rent treuly pays me, My gret mercy sall I gyf þe. If þou fall, & gretely mystake, ȝit þis charter will not I forsake; for wo so mendes, & mercy wyll crafe, My blystful ioy trewly sall he hafe. Bot many ere now lywyng here þat pays not þer rent be ȝere, Bot labures ful fere in dyuerse warke;— þis knawes bothe lewde & clarke;— þerfore in wat a-state god has þe sent, Do trewly þi labure, þan pays þou þi rent. þi gostly warkes þat þou sal werke, Are þe sacrementes of haly kyrke: þe fyrst, þat þou af þe baptysacyon; þe secund es þi confirmacyon; þe thyrd: wat ordyr or degre þou hawe, kepe it reght, & þan ert þou sawe; þe fowrth es wedlak, for soth I-wys, So þat þou sal not do a mys; þe fyfte es penance, if þou it work Of þe prest of haly kyrk; þe sexte es þat þou be-leue on my flesche & blod, þe sacriment on þe auter þat dyed on rode; þe sewent es þi laste endyng, to sawe þe fro þi enme at þi passyng. do þu þus þis warke ȝere be ȝere, And dred þe neuer of fyndes fere; And wo so dose here þe warkis of mercy, he squenches þe fyre in purgatory. Opon þe cros me thyrstyd sore, bot of swylk drynk myght I nomore: Aysyl & gall gaf þai me. Bot a noþer drynk ask I of þe: þu luf þi foo in worde & thoght: oþer drynk af þe ask I noght. Als þu me lufes, af þis in mynde: Be þu noȝt to þi enmy vnkynde; Ensawmpull þu sall take of me: ffor luf of my fo I hang on a tre, And prayd my fader of mercy, Of my enmys to af pety; & als I dyd, do þu to þame, If þou wyll be sawed fra hell-payne! wo so dose as I now telle, In heuen for euer with me sall dwelle. here-of ere wyttnens many one: Marke, Mathu, Luke, & Ione, And namely my moder swete, þat for my blode teres gan grete. ffor þer scho stode vnder þe rode; Scho saw my body al on blode, ffor al þe partyce of my body were brokyn at þe pelere, treuly. ffor me sho was þerfore ful wo. And so were wemen many mo: þer stode for-sothe be syde me, My moder, Magdalan, & Cleophe; þer stode be syde þe crose al-so, Ion euangelyst, ful fulle of wo. & I sayd to my moder mary: 'Be-halde þi sone þat standes þe by!' To Ion I spak wordes of pyte: 'Be-hald þi moder! hy tak hyre to þe.' Wen I spak þis wordes þere, Vntyll hyre hart þai went ful nere; wen I to Ion my cosyn h[i]re toke, Scho cast on me a rewfull loke, Als I had hyre all for-sakyn And tyll a nothere hyre sone takyn; Onone scho fell downe in swounynge Be-for þe cros at my dyynge. þe paynes þat I hade were full sore, Bot for my moder þai were wel more! ffor soro of my passion I made a cry, And cryed 'hely lama ȝabatany.' it semed my moder hart wald brek; No worde to me þer myght scho speke; No wonder was if hyre were wo, wen sho saw me dyght so! wen I layde my hede now here & þare, My moder chaunged all hyre chere; Scho wold fayne af hulpon me, Bot for þe Iewe[s] it myght not be. þe paynes of hyre were full smerte; þe swerd of soro perchyd hyre harte; Bot or þis charter þus wrytyn was, Many tymes scho sayd alas! ffull wo hyre was, as þu may se: af it in mynde for luf of me! wen hyre payns were sumwat ouer-gon, vp to my face scho lokyd onon, & saw I dro fast to myne endyng: Ouer scho felle ofte in swonyng, & sayd: 'alas! weder sall I gone? Sumtyme had I a sone, now af I none.' My moder payns gan me sore rew; ffor strong es luf of frendes trew; ffor þer luffes none so tendyrly As dos þe modyre namely. wen hyre payn[e]s were paste, To mary magdalan scho spak in haste: 'Mary magdalan, helpe þou me! hy se my sone dye on ȝon tre.' Magdalan sayd: 'I can no noþer rede, I knele & se my lorde nere dede; ffull grete soro has smytyn my harte, And ȝit me rewes þi payn[e]s smarte; ffor me were lewer to dy onone þan for to se þe mak þis mone. Cumme with me! I sall þe bryng ffro þis wo & þis mornyng In-tylle a tempull here be-fore; ffor þu has wepyd here full sore.' My moder answerd to magdalayn: 'Walde þou af me a-way so fayn? I had gret ioy wen I hym bare: Suld I now lewe hym hanga[n]d þare, And sofur hym so for to be, þat was my myrthe & al my gle? Magdalan, for sothe vnkynde I were to go away & lefe hym þere. þerfore be crose here lyf I wyll, ffor hys syght had I neuer my fyll; Sum-tyme wen he lokyd me on, It was my most ioy of ilkon. he was þe fayrest þat euer was borne, & now es crowned with a garland of thorne!' I prayd hyre go were hyre wylles was, for I wold byde & syng alas! I prayd þam go weder þai wolde, ffor a song of murnyng syng I sulde. Scho sette hyre down be syde þe rode, & lokyd o-pon hyre blody fode: & als scho stode & lokyd me on, Scho saw my lyfe was nere gon. Alas, alas! gan sho syng; ffull fast hyre handis gan scho wryng; wyt grete soro þus all þe day, hyre song was euer 'walaway!' 'A, my dere-worthy chyld, now cal I þe vnto þi fadyre in trinyte; ffader of mercy, now dyes my son, wyt me may he no lenger won. ffader, I pray þe, lat me dye onon, þat we may bothe ly vnder a ston! Now pas he, fadyre, as it es þi wyll, I wate he es dede, he hyngis soo styll. Alas, wat sal I do? forsothe, I wate neuer, Bot for to gret my fyll, wyls he es þus nere.' A wyle scho sat & spak rete noghte, It semed as scho had gret toghte. O-none scho gan tremul huglely, And forto gryse gretly with hyre body; þer scho swoned & wex nere dede, hyre face wex wane & nothyng rede, hyre hene were blody, h[y]re lyppys were blo, hyre brest gan ryse, hyre hart was wo, hyre fayre wysage was all blody, hyre tethe were lokyn, scho was rewly. Magdalan sayd scho was dede þare; Ion euaungelyst had mekyll kare, & to magdalan sayd in haste: 'lat hyre not loke on hym so faste! þe syght of hym, it es so rew, Makys hyre euer-more soro new.' Ione & magdalan full lang þer satte Or þai of hyre any worde gatte. Pure I was, as þu may knaw; My hede I bowed þer ful laaw: So bare I was of warldely gode, Wen I sul dye opon þe rode, þat I had noȝt were-of to take, Reste vnto my hede to make. Pure man, af þis mynde Wen þu no rest in warlde may fynde, Wat reste I had onely for þe Wen I hange nayled opon a tre. Wele may þu knaw þat none I had, Emang my enmys þer I was stad! Wen þu emang þi enmys ert broght, Be redy to sofure wyt all þi thoght. To frande at bare it [es] full hard, As þu as wroght to be reward. He þat sofures dyses for luf of me, On my reght hand wend sall he; And he þat wengys hym on hys broþer, Sal not do so, bot go on þe toþer. He þat wyll þe sothe knaw, Swylk as he owes, swylk sall he maw; Swylke as þi warkis here in þi lywyng, Swylk sal be þi reward at þi endyng. I fele me now so ful of wo, þat oute of þis warld me most go; Wyt paynes of dede I am bonde; My saule sal passe now in þis stonde. Be-hald now, man, with þi gostely hee, Now for þi luf [how] I sall[MS. sall sall] dye. I hyng on crosse for luf on þe: for-sake þi syn for luf of me; Mercy aske, Amende þe sone, And I for-gyf þat þu as mys done; fful of mercy I am, trewly, To all þase þat askys mercy. Wat sal it grefe þe to repent þe, In hendeles Ioy to dwelle with me? for þai þat wyll no mercy crye, þai sall to helle wen þai dye. þu þat wyll my blys wyn, Nedes þe must forsak þi syn. Now wen I af a worde spokyn, My nehen sall to-geder be lokyn: þu synfull man, af pyte on me, ffor here I dye for luf of þe. þis wordes must me nedys speke, And þer-wyt my hart wyll breke: Consummatum est: Now es all done! þe lyght was lost of sone & mone; Gret wonder þer men myght hawe: dede men ryse oute of þer grawe; þe stones brast, þe erth gan quake, ffendys þer ware þat ware ful blake, þe wayle of þe tempull in two it felle: All þis was done, I þe telle. Bot, dere saule, be þou reght glade! Be-twyx þe & me pese es made. Hy went to helle þis charter to schew, To satanas þat es so mekyll a schrew; þer I hym schent & broght to grounde Thrught my nayles, spere & wounde, And after a conant made þer was Be-twene me & satanas: Alle my catell to af a-way, þat he refte me with hys fals pray. þe thyrd day I rase, & made a fest Vnto þe most & vnto þe lest: þe fest was of ioy & blyse; Pasche-day called it ese. þe seles þat þe charter es seled with, þai ware made at a smythe; Of golde nor syluur were þai noght: Wyt a spere to my hart þai soght; Wiþ Iryn nayles þai nayled me Thrugh fote & hand vntyl a tre; On þis maner was I stong Thrugh my scynne & my long; In my reght syde þai mad a wonde; þe blode ran downe to þe grownde. þe selyng-wax was dere boght; At my hart-rote þai it soght, Als it were tempurde wiþ vermy[ly]on Of my hart blode þat ran þer don. ffywe selys here set þer opane: ffader & son, god & mane, þe fyrst es to belewe most, þat I come of þe holy gost. And þerfore here now may þou se þatt I am kyng of gret pouste. In playne powere þi state to make, A crowne of throrne to me gon I take: þis crowne betakyns þat I am kyng, And frely may gyf my nawne thyng. þis wyttyns wele of þe iewes all: On kne be-for me gan þai fall, & lowde þa cryed on þer cryyng, 'Hayle be þou, þe iewes kyng!' Be-twene two thefes þis charter was celyd— þai bothe were seke, þe tone was helyd;— Be-twene þe thefes vppe was I dyght, In tokynnyng þat I was kyng of myght. þis betokyns bothe gode & ylle, At þe day of dome to sawe & spylle. þis charter þus celyd, lewe I wyll þe, ware-by þu sall ay sekyr be: My precyus body, of þe preste hande for to resaywe, þu sall vnderstand. My precyus body es þe sacrament, þat [at] many a autyre verament þe prestes sakyre at þer messe, Wedyre þai can more or lesse. he þat faythefully lewes þer-opon, endeles pyne sall he fele non; All if he dye, ȝit dyes not he; Vppe sal he ryse, & lyfe wyt me. To my fader wyll I now sone, ffor all hys wylle now af [I] done; I take my lewe at alle & summe: On þe day of dome, agayn I comme, Men to deme after þer warkys, þis es þe belewe of haly kyrkys,— And euer more after in ioy to dwelle, Sawyd to be fro þe payns of helle. Bot a cote-armur I bere with me, þat I toke of þi lyuer so fre; þe cote es ryche & wnder fyne, þe chaumpe es now of rede satyne. A ful fayre maydyn me it worgh; Out of hyre bure to me it brogh. þis cote es poudered with fywe ros rede, wondis þat I sofurd wen I suld be dede; ffywe: wen I comme agayn to þe, Be thys clethyng þou may ken me. þai þat ere of þer rent be-hynde, And þis wordes wyl not af in mynde, fful sore may þai be adrede Wen þis charter sall be rede; Of þe hee iustys be þai wele ware, ffor þan forsothe I sall noȝt spare; ffor alle þi syns þat þu as worght ffro þi ȝongthe þai sall be soght. And of my gret mercy I forgyf þe Syns þat þu schrywen of wyld be. Pay þis rent, wo so has space, Als he of me wyll gete grace; Repent hym, wo so dyes sodanly, for of hys saule I may af mercy. A cownant es made be-twyx vs two: Als I af sayd, loke þat þu do so! Loke wat þi pater noster spekes to þe: 'Als I forgyf, lorde, for-gyf me!' Do þer-after reght as þu wyllt, So þat þi saule be not spylt. On holy wryte I may put me, Wedyre I be curtas or noȝt to þe; Be þe texte of holy wrytte, In wat place þu wyll seke itte,— Be þou lered, be þu lewed,— þe way to heuen I af þe schewed. þerfore I byd þe pay þi rent, þat with þe fende þu be not schent! Wyt me to blys þan sall þu comme, And in my blys þan sall þu wonne." Vnto þat blys he vs bryng, þat of noght made alle thyng! LV. Thirty Poems, most with Refrains. MS. Vernon, fol. 407

(3 of them, ed. Furnivall, Phil. Soc. Trans., 1872, Part II; the first 13 of them, ed. Varnhagen, Anglia, vii, 1884, p. 282-315).

Mercy passes all things, p. 658. Deo Gracias I, p. 664. Against my Will, I take my Leave, p. 666. God is Love, p. 668. Deo Gracias II, p. 670. Each man ought himself to know, p. 672. Think on Yesterday, p. 675. Keep well Christ's Commandments, p. 680. Who says the Sooth, he shall be shent, p. 683. Fy on a faint Friend! p. 686. Thank God of all, p. 688. This World fares as a Fantasy, p. 692. Ay, Mercy, God! p. 696. Truth ever is best, p. 699. Charity is no longer dear, p. 701. Of Women cometh this World's Weal, p. 704. Mary, Mother of Christ, p. 708. The Fleur de Lys, Maiden Mary, p. 711. Seldom seen is soon forgot, p. 715. Warning to be ware, p. 719. Love Holy Church and Priests, p. 721. Try to say the best, p. 723. To-morrow, p. 725. Make Amends for thy Sins, p. 727. Suffer in Time, and that is best, p. 730. Mane nobiscum, Domine! p. 733. A Prayer to the Virgin Mary, p. 735. A Prayer to the Trinity, p. 740. But thou say Sooth, thou shalt be shent, p. 740. Thanks and Prayer to God, p. 744. 1. Mercy passes all Things.Printed by Furnivall from the Simeon MS., with collations from the Vernon, in Early English Poems and Lives of Saints, p. 118, Philolog. Soc. Trans. 1872.

(16 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)

(1) BI west, vnder a wylde wode-syde, In a launde, þer I was lente, Wlanke deor on grounde gunne glyde, And lyouns Raumping vppon bente, Beores, wolues wiþ Mouþes wyde, Þe smale Beestes þei al to-rente; Þer haukes vn-to heore pray þei hyde, Of whuche, to on .I. tok good tente: A Merlyon, a Brid had hente, And in hire foot heo gan hit bringe; Hit couþe not speke, but þus hit mente: How Merci passeþ alle þinge. (2) ¶ Merci was in þat Briddes muynde, But þerof kneuȝ þe Hau[e]k non, ffor in hir foot heo gan hit bynde, And heold hit stille as eny ston; Heo dude after þe cours of kynde, And fleiȝ in-to a treo anon. Þorw kuynde þe Brid gan Merci fynde: ffor on þe morwe heo let hit gon. fful stille .I. stod my-self al-on, To herken hou þat Brid gan synge: A-wey wol wende boþe Murþe and moon, And Merci passeþ alle þinge. (3) ¶ How Merci passeþ strengþe & riȝt, Mony a wyse seo we may. God ordeyned Merci, most of miht, To beo aboue his werkes ay. Whon deore Ihesu schal be diht To demen vs at doomes-day, Vr sunne wol beo so muche in siht, We schul not wite what we schul say; fful fersliche Riȝt wol vs affray, And blame vs for vr mis-lyuing: Þen dar non prese for vs to pray, But Merci þat passeþ alle þing. (4) ¶ Riht wolde sle vs for vr synne, Miht wolde don execucion; And Riht-wyse god þen wol be-gynne fforte reherce vs þis resoun: "I made þe, Mon, ȝif þat þou minne, Of feture lich myn owne fasoun, And after crepte In-to þi kinne, And for þe suffred passioun; Of þornes kene þen was þe croun fful scharpe vppon myn hed standyng; Min herte-blood ran from me doun; And I for-ȝaf þe alle þing. (5) ¶ "Myn herte-blood for þe gan blede, To buye þe from þe fendes blake, And I for-ȝaf þe þi misdede. What hast þou suffred for my sake? Me hungred, þou woldest not me fede, Ne neuer my furst ne woldestou slake; Whon I of herborwe hedde gret nede, Þou woldest not to þin hous me take; Þou seȝe me a-mong todes blake, fful longe in harde prison lyng.[lying] Let seo what onswere constou make, Wher weore þou kynde in eny þing? (6) ¶ "And hou .I. quenched al þi care, Lift vp þin eiȝe and þou maiȝt se Mi woundes wete, blodi al bare, As .I. was rauȝt on Roode-tre. Þou seȝe me for defaute forfare, In seknes and in pouerte: Ȝit of þi good woldestou not spare, Ne ones come to visyte me. Al eorþli þing .I. ȝaf to þe, Boþe Beest and fisch & foul fleoyng, And tolde þe hou þat charite And Merci passeþ alle þing. (7) ¶ "Hou mihtou eny merci haue Þat neuer desyredest non to do? Þou seȝe me naked and cloþes craue; Barehed and Barefot gan I go: On me þou vochedest no þing saue, But beede me wende þi wones fro. Þou seȝe me ded aboue to graue On Bere seuen dayes and mo: ffor luitel dette I ouȝte þe þo, Þou forbed my buriȝing. Þi pater noster seyde not so, ffor Merci passeþ alle þing." (8) ¶ Þeos are þe werkes of Merci seuene, Of wȝuche crist wol vs areyne, Þat alle schul stoney wiþ þat steuene Þat euer tresoun miȝte a-teyne. ffor heer but ȝif we make vs euene, Þer may no miht ne ȝiftes ȝeyne. Þenne to þe kyng of heuene, Þe Bok seiþ þat we schul seyne: "Wher hastou, lord, in prisoun leyne? Whonne weore þou in eorþe dwellyng? Whon seȝe we þe in such peyne? Whon askedest þou vs eny þing?" (9) ¶ "Whon ȝe seȝe ouþer Blynd or lame Þat for my loue asked ȝou ouȝt; Al þat ȝe duden in myn name, Hit was to me, boþe deede & þouȝt. But ȝe þat hated cristendame, And of my wraþþe neuer ne rouȝt, Ȝour seruise schal ben endeles schame Helle-fuir þat slakes nouȝt. And ȝe þat wiþ my blood .I. bouȝt, Þat loued me in ȝoure lyuynge, Ȝe schul haue þat ȝe haue souȝt, Merci þat passeþ alle þinge." (10) ¶ Þis tyme schal tyde, hit is no nay, And wel is him þat haþ þat grace ffor to plese his god to pay, And Merci seche while he haþ space! ffor beo vr mouþ crommed with clay Wormes blake wol vs enbrase: Þen is to late, Mon, in good fay, To seche to A-Mende of þi trespace. With mekenes þou may heuene purchase: Oþer Meede þar þe non bring, But knowe þi god in vche a case, And loue him best of any þing. (11) ¶ To god and non weore holden meste To loue, and his wraþþe eschuwe. Now is non so vnkuynde a beeste Þat lasse doþ þat weore him duwe; ffor Beestes and foules, more & leeste, Þe cours of kynde alle þei suwe. And whonne we breken Godes heste, Aȝeynes kuynde we ben vn-trewe: ffor kuynde wolde þat we him knewe And dradde him most in vre doing. Hit is no riht þat he vs rewe, But Merci passeþ alle þing. (12) ¶ Now harlotrye for murþe is holde, And vertues tornen in-to vice, And Symonye haþ chirches solde, And lawe is waxen Couetyse; Vr feiþ is frele to flecche & folde, ffor treuþe is put to luytel prise; Vre God is glotenye and golde, Dronkenes, Lecherye and dyse: Lo heer vr lyf and vre delyce, Vr loue, vr lust and vre lykyng. Ȝet, ȝif we wole repente and ryse, Merci passeþ alle þinge. (13) ¶ Vn-lustily vr lyf we lede, Monhod and we twynne in two; To heuen ne helle take we non hede, But on day come, a noþer go. Who is a mayster now but meede, And pruide, þat wakened al vr wo? We stunte, neiþer for schame ne drede, To teren vr god from top to to, ffor-swere his soule, his herte also, And alle þe Menbres þat we cun Mynge: fful harde vengeaunce wol falle on þo, But merci passeþ alle þinge. (14) ¶ And corteis knihthod and clergye, Þat wont were vices to forsake, Are nou so Rooted in Ribaudye Þat oþur merþes lust hem not make. A-wei is gentyl cortesye, And lustines his leue haþ take; We loue so slouþe and harlotrie, We slepe as swolle swyn in lake. Þer wol no worschupe wiþ vs wake Til þat Charite beo mad a kyng: And þen schal al vr synne slake, And Merci passeþ alle þing. (15) ¶ .I. munge no more of þis to ȝou, Al-þauȝ .I. couþe ȝif þat .I. wolde, ffor ȝe han herd wel whi & hou Bi-gon þis tale þat I haue tolde. And þis men knowen wel .I.-nouh, ffor Merlyons feet ben colde; hit is heor kynde on Bank and bouh A quik Brid to hauen and holde, ffrom foot to foot to flutte and folde, To kepe hire from clomesyng; As .I. an hauþorn gan bi holde, .I. sauȝ my self þe same þing. (16) ¶ Whon heo hedde holden so al niht, On Morwe heo let hit gon a-way: Wheþer gentrie tauȝt hire so or nouȝt, I con not telle ȝou, in good fay! But, God, as þou art ful of miȝt, Þouȝ we plese þe not to pay, Graunt vs repentaunce and respiȝt, And schrift and hosel, or we day; As þou art God and mon verray, Þou beo vr help at vre endyng, Bi-fore þi face þat we mai sai: 'Now Merci passeþ alle þinge.' 2. Deo Gracias I.

(11 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) IN a Chirche, þer .I. con knel Þis ender day in on Morwenynge, Me lyked þe seruise wonder wel; ffor-þi þe lengore con .I. lynge. .I. seiȝ a Clerk a book forþ bringe, Þat prikked was in mony a plas; ffaste he souȝte what he scholde synge: And al was Deo Gracias. (2) ¶ Alle þe queristres in þat qwer, On þat word fast gon þei cri. Þe noyse was good, & .I. drouȝ neer And called a prest ful priueli, And seide: "sire, for ȝor curtesi Tel me, ȝif ȝe habbeþ spas, What hit meneþ, and for whi Ȝe singe Deo Gracias?" (3) ¶ In selk þat comeli clerk was clad, And ouer a lettorne leoned he; And wiþ his word he maade me glad, And seide: "sone, I schal telle þe: ffader and Sone In Trinite, Þe holy gost, ground of vr graas, Also oftesiþe þonke we As we sei Deo Gracias. (4) ¶ "To þonke & blesse him we ben bounde With al þe murþes þat mon mai Minne: ffor al þe world in wo was wounde Til þat he crepte in to vr kinne: A louesum buirde he liȝte with-Inne, Þe worþiest þat euer was, And schedde his blod for vre sinne: And þerfore Deo Gracias." (5) ¶ Þen seide þe preost: "sone, be þi leue .I. moste seie forþ my seruise, .I. preye þe tak hit nouȝt in greue; ffor þou hast herd al my deuise, Bi-cause whi hit is clerkes wyse, And holychirche muynde of hit maas, Vnto þe prince so muchel of prise, fforte synge Deo Gracias." (6) ¶ Out of þat chirche .I. wente my way, And on þat word was al my þouȝt, And twenti tymes .I. con say, "God graunte þat .I. for-ȝete hit nouȝt! Þouȝ I weore out of bonchef brouȝt, what help weore to me to seye allas? In þe nome of god, what-euer be wrouȝt, I schal seie Deo gracias. (7) ¶ "In Mischef and in bonchef boþe,The leaf-numbers here are modern, and on the general wrong plan of making each leaf a folio, instead of the double open page, the back of the left leaf and the front of the right one, which the old numbering always rightly adopts. Þat word is good to seye and synge, And not to wayle ne to bi wroþe, Þauȝ al be nouȝt at vre lykynge. ffor langour schal not euer lynge, And sum tyme plesaunse wol ouer-pas, But ay in hope of a-mendynge, .I. schal seye Deo Gracias." (8) ¶ A-Mende þat þou hast don amis, And do wel þenne, and haue no drede, Wheþer so þou beo In bale or blis! Þi goode suffraunce schal gete þe mede, Ȝif þou þi lyf in lykyng lede. Loke þou beo kuynde in vch a cas, Þonk þi god, ȝif þou wel spede, Wiþ þis word, Deo Gracias. (9) ¶ Ȝif god haþ ȝiue þe vertues mo Þen he haþ oþure two or þre, Þenne I rede þou rule þe so Þat men may speke worschupe bi þe. Be fert of pruide, & bost þou fle, Þi vertues let no fulþe de-faas, But kep þe clene, corteis & fre, And þenk on Deo Gracias. (10) ¶ Ȝif þou beo mad an Offycer, And art a Mon of muche miht, What cause þou demest, loke hit be cler, And reue no mon from him his riht, Ȝif þou beo strong and fers to fiht. ffor envye neuer mon þou chas, But drede þi god boþe dai & niȝt, And þenk on deo gracias. (11) ¶ Ȝif we þis word in herte wol haue, And ay in loue and leute leende, Of crist bi couenaunt we mow craue Þat Ioye þat schal neuer haue ende, Out of þis world whon we schul wende, In-to his paleys for to paas, And sitte a-mong his seintes hende, And þer synge Deo Gracias. 3. Against my Will, I take my Leave.

(8 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc)

(1) Nou Bernes, Buirdus bolde and blyþe, To blessen ow her nou am .I. bounde; .I. þonke ȝou alle a þousend siþe, And prei god saue ȝou hol and sounde; Wher-euer ȝe go, on gras or grounde, He ow gouerne with-outen greue ffor frendschipe þat .I. here haue founde; A-ȝeyn mi wille .I. take mi leue. (2) ¶ ffor frendschipe & for ȝiftes goode, ffor Mete & Drinke so gret plente Þat lord þat rauȝt was on þe Roode, He kepe þi comeli cumpayne; On see or lond, wher þat ȝe be, He gouerne ow wiþ-outen greue; So good dispest ȝe han mad me, Aȝein my wille .I. take my leue. (3) ¶ Aȝein mi wille al-þouȝ .I. wende, .I. may not al-wey dwellen here, ffor eueri þing schal haue an ende, And frendes are not ay .I.-fere; Be we neuer so lef and dere, Out of þis world al schul we meue; And whon we buske vn-to vr bere, Aȝeyn vr wille we take vr leue. (4) ¶ And wende we schulle, .I. wot neuer whenne, Ne whoderward þat we schul fare; But endeles blisse, or ay to brenne, To eueri mon is ȝarked ȝare. ffor-þi .I. rede vch mon be ware, And lete vr werk vr wordes preue, So þat no sunne vr soule forfare Whon þat vr lyf haþ taken his leue. (5) ¶ Whon þat vr lyf his leue haþ lauht, Vr bodi lith bounden bi þe wowe, Vr richesses alle from vs ben raft, In clottes colde vr cors is þrowe. Wher are þi frendes ho wol þe knowe? Let seo ho wol þi soule releue? .I. rede þe, mon, ar þou ly lowe, Beo redi ay to take þi leue. (6) ¶ Be redi ay, what euer bi-falle, Al sodeynli lest þou be kiht; Þou wost neuer whonne þi lord wol calle, Loke þat þi laumpe beo brennynge briht; ffor leue me wel, but þou haue liht, Riht foule þi lord wol þe repreue, And fleme þe fer out of his siht, ffor al to late þou toke þi leue. (7) ¶ Nou god, þat was in Bethleem bore, He ȝiue vs grace to serue him so Þat we mai come his face to-fore, Out of þis world whon we schul go; And for to a-mende þat we mis-do, In Clei or þat we clynge and cleue, And mak vs euene wiþ frend and fo, And in good tyme to take vr leve. (8) ¶ Nou haueþ good dai, gode men alle, Haueþ good dai, ȝonge and olde, Haueþ good day, boþe grete and smalle, And graunt-Merci a þousend folde. Ȝif euere .I. miȝte, ful fayn .I. wolde Don ouȝt þat weore vn-to ȝow leue. Crist kepe ow out of cares colde, ffor nou is tyme to take my leue. 4. God is Love.

(7 stanzas of 8, abab abab.)

(1) Deus caritas est: A, deore god, omnipotent, Lord þou madest boþe foul & best, On eorþe to mon þou here hit sent. .I. warne ȝow alle, boþe more & lest, Charite .I. rede þat ȝe hent; ffor hit is cristes hest, Þat schal come to þe Iugement. (2) ¶ ffor whon he comeþ a domes-day Þat al þis world hit schal wel se, Þe wikked he biddeþ to gon heor way, In bitter penaunce for euere to be; And to þe goode wol þat lord say: "Ȝe schul alle wende wiþ me In-to þe blisse for euere and ay; Et qui manet in caritate." (3) ¶ God þat made boþe heuene & helle, Vre swete lord of Naȝareþ: Adam þat was so feir of felle ffor his folyes he suffred deþ. In God forsoþe he schal dwelle, In charite ho so geþ, Hit is soþ þat I ou telle, Bi-hold and seo:—In deo manet. (4) ¶ Crist was toren vch a lim, And on þe Roode he was .I.-do. Þe fend þat was so derk and dym, To þe crois he com þo,— Crist, al charite is in him— Þere he ouer-com vs to. Charite .I. rede þat þou nym, And þenne Deus est in eo. (5) ¶ Let Charite nou awake, And do hit þer neod is; Heuene forsoþe þen maiȝt þou take And come to þat riche blis: Nou crist, for his Moder sake, Let vs neuere þis place mis, And schild vs from þe fendes blake, And Sit deus in nobis. (6) ¶ And charite .I. rede þat we be-ginne As bi-fore alle oþer games, And schriue vs clene of vre synne, ffor so dude Peter, Ion and Iames, And þerfore god hem dwelled wiþ-Inne, ffor þei weoren alle wiþ-outen oþer blames. Crist, let vs heuene wynne, E(t) nos ipso maneamus. (7) ¶ God þat dwelleþ in gret solas In heuene, þat riche regnyng, And for vs þolede gret trespas Wonder muche at vre muntyng, On þe Roode don he was, In gret dispyt .I.-cleped a kyng. Þenkeþ nouþe On Deus caritas, And bring vs alle to good endyng. 5. Deo Gracias II.

(6 stanzas of 8; one abab baba; five abab bcbc.)

(1) M .I. word is Deo gracias, In world wher me be wel or wo; Hou scholde I lauȝwhe or sigge Allas ffor, leeue me wel, hit [ne] lasteþ o, And þouȝ hit greue, hit wol ouer go, As þouȝt chaungeþ, for such is graas. Þerfore, wher me beo wel or wo, I sey not But deo gracias. (2) ¶ Þouȝ I beo riche of gold so red, And liht to renne as is a Ro, Anoþur is boun to begge his bred Wiþ brestes blak and bleynes blo. Whon .I. seo good de-parted so: To sum Mon God sent gret solas, And sum Mon ay to liuen in wo, Þen sei .I. Deo Gracias. (3) ¶ Þou he beo pore and lyue in peyn, Anoþer mon proudeþ as doþ a poo, Whon murþe is his & Mourning myn, As may be-falle to me and mo, Ȝif fortune wolde be so my fo ffrom me to turne hir freoly faas; Seþþe god may sende boþe weole & wo, I sei not but Deo Gracias. (4) ¶ A lord of worschup ȝif .I. ware, And weore falle doun in a wro, Siknesse sitteþ me so sare, And serwe wol neiȝ myn herte slo, Þus am I bounde from top til to, And I turmente so for my trespas: Ȝif God may loose me of þat wo, And þenne I sey Deo Gracias. (5) ¶ Whon I hedde spendyng her-be-forn, Þer wolde no felauschip fonde me fro, But herkne & hiȝe to myn horn, ffor in myn hond þer stod non ho. Nou a-peereþ non of þo; So pouert a-peired haþ my plas. Ho may haue wele wiþ-oute wo? Þerfore I sey Deo gracias. (6) ¶ Almihti, corteis, Crouned kyng, God, graunt vs grace to rule vs so Þat we may come to þi wonyng, Þer is wele wiþ-outen wo. Milde Mayde, prey þi sone also, Þat he for-ȝiue vs vre trespas, And afterward in-to heuene go, Þer to synge Deo gracias. Amen. 6. Each Man ought himself to know.

(9 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)

(1) IN a Pistel þat poul wrouȝt, .I. fond hit writen, & seide riht þis: Vche cristne creature knowen himself ouȝt His oune vessel. and soþ hit is. Nere help of him þat vs deore bouȝt, We weoren bore to luytel blis; Whon al þi gode dedes beþ þorw-souȝt, Seche, and þou schalt fynden A-mis. Eueri mon scholde .I.-knowen his, And þat is luitel, as .I. trowe; To teche vs self, crist vs wis; flor vche mon ouȝte him-self to knowe. (2) ¶ Knowe þi-self what þou ware, Whon þou were of þi moder born, Ho was þi moder þat þe bare, And ho was þi fader þer-bi-foren; Knowe hou þei beþ forþ fare; So schaltou þeiȝ þou hed sworen. Knowe þou come hider wiþ care; Þou nost neuer ȝif þou byde til morn; Hou lihtly þou maiȝt be forlorn, But þou þi sinne schriue & schowe; ffor lond or kiþ, Catel or corn, Vche mon oute him-self to knowe. (3) ¶ Knowe þi lyf; hit may not last, But as a blast blouh out þi breth; Tote, and bi a noþer mon tast; Riht as a glentand glem hit geth. What is al þat forþ is past? hit fareþ as a fuir of heth. Þis worldes good awey wol wast, ffor synnes seeknesse þi soule sleþ. And þat is a ful delful deþ, To saue þi soule and þou be slowe, Wiþ þi Maystrie medel þi meþ, ffor vche mon ouȝte him-self to knowe. (4) ¶ Ȝif þou þi-self knowe con, ¶ Sit doun, and tac Countures rounde, Seþþe furst þou monnes wit bi-gon Hou ofte sunne þe haþ .I.-bounde. And for vch a synne lei þou doun on, Til þou þi synnes haue .I.-souȝt vp sounde; Counte þi goode dedes euerichon, Abyd þer a while and stunte a stounde; And ȝif þou fele þe siker and sounde, Þonk þou þi god, as þou wel owe; And ȝif þou art In sunne .I.-bounde Amende þe, and þi-self knowe. (5) ¶ Knowe what god haþ for þe do: Made þe after his oune liknes; Seþþe, he com from heuene also, And diȝede for þe wiþ gret distres. ffor þe he soffrede boþe pyne and wo; Knowe þou him and alle his: Who-so greueþ him Is worþi to go To helle-fuir, but he hit red[r]es, And he be demed bi rihtfulnes; But his grace is so wyde .I.-sowe, ffrom his wraþþe .I. rede vs bles, ffor vche mon ouȝte him-self to knowe. (6) ¶ Knowe þi-self þat þou schalt dye, But what tyme, þou nost neuer whenne; Wiþ a twynklyng of an eiȝe, Eueri day þou hiȝest þe henne; Þi fleschly foode þe wermes wol fye: Vche cristen mon ouȝte þis to kenne. Loke aboute and wel a-spye, Þis world doþ bote bi-traye menne; And beo war of þe fuir þat euer schal brenne, And þenk þou regnest her but a þrowe; Heuene-blisse þou schal haue þenne, ffor vche mon ouȝte him self to knowe. (7) ¶ Knowe þi flesch, þat wol rote; ffor certes, þou maiȝt not longe endure; And nedes dye, hennes þou mote, Þei þou haue kyngdamMS. kyngdan and Empyre. And sone þou schalt beo forgote; So schal souereyn, so schal syre. Hose leeueþ not þis, I. trouwe he dote, ffor eueri mok most in-to myre. Preye we to god vr soules enspire, Or we ben logged in erþe lowe, Heuene to haue to vr huire; ffor vche mon ouȝte him-self to knowe. (8) ¶ Knowe þi kuynde Creatoure, Knowe what he for þe dide; Knowe þis worldly honoure, Hou sone þat hit is forþ .I.-slyde. Ende of Ioye Is her doloure; Strengþe stont vs in no stide, But longyng & beoing in laboure; Vr Bost, vr Brag is sone ouerbide. Arthur and Ector þat we dredde, Deth haþ leid hem wonderly lowe. Amende þe, Mon, euene forþ mide, ffor vche mon ouȝte him-self to knowe. (9) ¶ Þi Concience schal þe saue and deme Wheþer þat þou beo ille or good; Grope aboute, and tak good ȝeme, Þer maiȝt þou wite, but þou beo wood, Þer schalt þou þe same seone. Aske Merci wiþ Mylde mood, AMende þe, þou wot what .I. mene. Vche creatur þat beres bon and blood, Preye we to god þat dyed on Rode, Ar vre breþ beo out .I.-blowe, Þat cristes face mai ben vr foode, ffor vche mon ouȝte him self to knowe. 7. Think on Yesterday.

(15 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)

(1) Whon Men beoþ muriest at heor Mele, iþ mete & drink to maken hem glade, [iþ] worschip & wiþ worldlich wele Þei ben so set, þey conne not sade; Þei haue no deynte for to dele Wiþ þinges þat ben deuoutli made, Þei weene heor honour & heore hele Schal euer laste & neuer diffade. But in heor hertes .I. wolde þei hade, Whon þei gon ricchest men on array, Hou sone þat god hem may de-grade, And sum tyme þenk on ȝusterday. (2) ¶ Þis day, as leef we may be liht Wiþ al þe murþes þat men may vise, To Reuele wiþ þis buirdes briht, Vche mon gayest on his gyse; At þe last, hit draweþ to niht, Þat slep most make his Maystrise. Whon þat he haþ .I.-kud his miht, Þe morwe he boskeþ vp to rise, Þen al draweþ hem to fantasy[s]e; Wher he is bi-comen, con no mon say,— And ȝif heo wuste þei weore ful wise,— ffor al is tornd to ȝesterday. (3) ¶ Whose wolde þenke vppon þis, Mihte fynde a good enchesun whi To preue þis world al-wei .I.-wis Hit nis but fantum and feiri, Þis erþly Ioye, þis worldly blis Is but a fikel fantasy; ffor nou hit is, and nou hit nis, Þer may no mon þer-inne affy. Hit chaungeþ so ofte & so sodeynly, To-day is her, to-morwe a-way. A siker ground ho wol him gy, I rede he þenke on ȝuster-day. (4) ¶ ffor þer nis non so strong in stour, ffro tyme þat he ful waxen be, ffrom þat day forþ, euer-vch an hour, Of his strengþe he leost a quantite; Ne no buryde so briht in bour, Of þritti wynter, .I. enseure þe, Þat heo ne schal fade as a flour, Luite and luite leosen hire beute. Þe soþe ȝe may ȝor-self I-se, Beo ȝor eldres in good fay; Whon ȝe ben grettest in ȝour degre, I rede ȝe þenke on ȝesterday. (5) ¶ Nis non so fresch on fote to fare, Ne non so fayr on fold to fynde, Þat þei ne schul a bere be brouȝt ful bare: Þis wrecched world nis but a wynde; Ne non so stif to stunte ne stare, Ne non so bold, Beores to bynde, Þat he naþ warmynges to beo ware, ffor god is so cortys and so kynde. Bi-hold þe lame, þe bedrede, þe blynde, Þat bit ȝou be war whil þat ȝe may; Þei make a Mirour to ȝor mynde, To us þe schap of ȝesterday. (6) ¶ Þe lyf þat ony mon schal lede, Beþ certeyn dayes atte last, Þen moste vr terme schorte nede; Be o day comen, anoþer is past. Herof and we wolde take good hede And in vr hertes a-countes cast, Day bi day, wiþouten drede, Toward vr ende we draweþ ful fast. Þen schal vr bodies in erþe be þrast, Vr Careyns chouched vnder clay; Her-of we ouȝte beo sore agast, And we wolde þenke on ȝesterday. (7) ¶ Salamon seide in his poysi, He holdeþ wel betere wiþ an hounde Þat is lykyng and Ioly, And of seknesse hol and sounde, Þen be a Leon, þouȝ he ly Cold and ded vppon þe grounde. Wherof serueþ his victori, Þat was so stif in vche a stounde? Þe moste fool, I herde respounde, Is wysore whil he lyue may, Þen he þat hedde a þousend pounde And was buried ȝuster-day. (8) ¶ Socrates seiþ a word ful wys: Hit were wel betere for to se A Mon þat nou parteþ and dys, Þen a feste of Realte; Þe feste wol make his flesch to ris, And drawe his herte to vanite; Þe Bodi þat on þe Bere lys, Scheweþ þe same þat we schal be. Þat ferful fit may no mon fle, Ne wiþ no wiles win hit a-way; Þerfore a-mong al Iolyte, Sum tyme þenk on ȝusterday. (9) ¶ But ȝit me merueyles ouer al Þat god let mony mon croke and elde, Whon miht & strengþe is from hem fal, Þat þei may not hem-self a-welde; And now þis beggers most principal, Þat good ne profyt may non ȝelde. To þis purpos onswere .I. schal, Whi god sent such men boote & belde; Crist, þat Made boþe flour & felde, Let suche men lyue, forsoþe to say, Whon a ȝong mon on hem bi-helde, Scholde seo þe schap of ȝesterday. (10) ¶ A noþur skile þer is, for whi Þat God let such men liue so longe: ffor þei beþ treacle and remedi ffor synful men þat han do wronge. In hem þe seuen dedes of Merci A Mon may fulfille a-monge; And also þis proude men may þer-bi A feir Mirour vnderfonge. ffor þer nis non so stif ne stronge, Ne no ladi [so] stout ne gay, Bi-hold what ouer hor hed con honge, And sum tyme þenk on ȝusterday. (11) ¶ I. haue wist, sin I. cuþe meen, Þat children haþ bi candel liht Heor schadewe on þe wal i-sen, And Ronne þer-after al þe niht; Bisy a-boute þei han ben To cacchen hit wiþ al heore miht, And whon þei cacchen hit, best wolde wene, Sannest hit schet out of heor siht; Þe schadewe cacchen þei ne miht, ffor no lynes þat þei couþe lay. Þis schadewe .I. may likne a-riht To þis world and ȝusterday. (12) ¶ In-to þis world whon we beþ brouȝt, We schul be tempt to couetyse, And al þi wit schal be þorw-souȝt To more good þen þou may suffyse. Whon þou þenkest best in þi þouȝt On Richesse, fo[r]te regne and ryse, Al þi trauayle turneþ to nouȝt, ffor sodeynly on deþ þou dyese; Þi lyf þou hast .I.-lad wiþ lyȝes, So þis world gon þe be-tray. Þerfore .I. rede þou þis dispys, And sum tyme þenk on ȝuster-day. (13) ¶ Mon, ȝif þi neiȝebor þe Manas Oþur to culle or to bete, .I. knowe me siker in þe cas Þat þou wolt drede þi neiȝebores þrete, And neuer a day þi dore to pas Wiþ-oute siker defense and grete, And ben purueyed in vche a plas Of sekernes and help to gete; Þin enymy woltou not for-ȝete, But ay beo afert of his affray: Ensaumple herof .I. wol ȝou trete, To make ȝou þenke of ȝuster-day. (14) ¶ Wel þou wost wiþ-outen fayle Þat deþ haþ manast þe to dye; But whon þat he wol þe a-sayle, Þat wost þou not, ne neuer may spye. Ȝif þou wolt don be my counsayle, Wiþ siker defence beo ay redye! ffor siker defence in þis batayle, Is clene lyf, parfyt and trye. Put þi trust in godes Mercye, Hit is þe beste at al assay, And euer among þou þe en-nuye In-to þis world and ȝuster-day. (15) ¶ Sum men seiþ þat deþ is a þef, And al vnwarned wol on him stele; And .I. sey nay, and make a pref, Þat deþ is studefast, trewe and lele, And warneþ vche mon of his greef, Þat he wol o day wiþ him dele: Þe lyf þat is to ow so leof, He wol ȝou reue, and eke or hele; Þis poyntes may no mon him repele. He comeþ so baldely to pyke his pray, Whon men beoþ muryest at heor Mele: I rede ȝe þenke on ȝusterday. 8. Keep well Christ's Commandments.

(13 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) I warne vche leod þat liueþ in londe, And do hem dredles out of were, Þat þei most studie and vnderstonde, Þe lawe of crist to loue and lere. Þer nis no mon fer ne nere Þat may him-seluen saue vn-schent, But he þat casteþ wiþ concience clere To kepe wel Cristes Comaundement. (2) ¶ Þow most haue o God, and no mo, And serue him boþe with mayn and miht; And ouer alle þinges loue him also, ffor he haþ lant þe lyf and liht. Ȝif þou beo nuyȝed day or niht In peyne be meke and pacient, And rule þe ay be reson riht, And kep wel Cristes Comaundement. (3) ¶ And let þi neiȝhebor, frend and fo, Riht frely of þi frendschupe fele, In herte þat þou wilne hem so Riht as þou woldest þi-self weore wele; And help to sauen hem from vncele, So þat heore soules beo not schent, And also heore care þou helpe to kele, And kepe wel Cristes comaundement. (4) ¶ In Idel, Godes nome tak þou nouȝt, But cese, and saue þe from þat synne; Swere bi no þing þat God haþ wrouht; Be war his wraþþe, lest þou hit wynne; But bisy þe her bale to blynne Þat blaberyng are wiþ oþes blent, Vncouþe & knowen & of þi kynne, And kep wel cristes comaundement. (5) ¶ In clannes and in cristes werk Haue mynde to holden þin haly day, And drauh þe þenne from dedes derk, Wiþ al þi meyne, Mon and may; And men vnsauȝte, loke þou assay To sauȝten hem þenne at on assent, And pore and seke þou plese & pay, And kepe wel cristes Comaundement. (6) ¶ Þi ffader, þi Moder, þou worschupe boþe, Ȝif þou wolt boteles bale escheuwe; With counseil cumforte him, with mete & cloþe, As þou sest hem neodeþ newe; And ȝif þei talke of tales vntrewe, Þou torn hem out of þat entent, And cristes lawe help þat þei knewe, And kep wel cristes Comaundement! (7) ¶ Sle no mon wiþ wikked wille, Be war, and vengeaunce tak þou non; In word ne dede, loude ne stille, Bakbyte þou no mon, blod ny bon, But ay let gabbynges glyde and gon A-wey wher þei wol glace or glent, And help þat alle men ben at on, And kep wel cristes comaundement. (8) ¶ Stele þou nouȝt þi neiȝebors þing, Nouþur with stillnes ne wiþ strif, Nor with no-maner wrong getyng, Þi self, þi seruaunt, child ne wyf; To sulle & buye ȝif þou be ryf, Wayte al-way þat wrong be went; As þou wolt lyue þe lastyng lyf, Þou kepe wel cristes comaundement. (9) ¶ ffals witnesse loke þow non bere, Ȝif þow wolt in blisse a-byde, Þi neiȝebore wityngly to dere, Ne no mon nouþer in no syde; But loke þat no mon be anuyȝed, And þou may him from harmes hent, And help þat falshede beo distruiet, And kep wel cristes comaundement. (10) ¶ Sunge þou not in lecherie; Such lust vn-leueful, let hit pas; Consente þou not to such folye, Þat founden is so foul trespas, And loke þat nouþer more ne las Þi lykyng on þat lust be lent, Leste þou synge þis songe 'allas, ffor brekyng of cristes comaundement.' (11) ¶ Þi neiȝhebors wyf coueyte þou nouȝt Vnleuefully aȝeynes þe lawe, Wiþ hire to sunge in word ne þouȝt, And from þat deede euer þou þe drawe, And neuer sey to hire no sawe To make hire to synne assent, Ne plese hire not with no mis-plawe, But kep wel cristes comaundement. (12) ¶ Þi neiȝhebors hous, wenche ne knaue, Vnskilfully coueyte þou nouht, Ne ȝit his good with wrong to haue; ffor hit lest þou to bale be brouht. ffor whon þe soþe schal vp be souht, Ȝif þou in-to þis sunnes assent, fful bitterly hit mot be bouȝt, ffor brekyng of cristes Comaundement. (13) ¶ Vche mon þat wol þis lessun lere And loueþ a laweful lyf to lede, He may not misse on none manere Þe merþe of heuene to his mede; ffor crist him here wol helpe & hede, And heþene in-to heuene hent. ffor-þi .I. preye þat crist vs spede Kuyndely to kepe his comaundement. 9. Who says the Sooth, he shall be shent.See the after poem, "But thou say sooth, thou shalt be shent," no. 29, p. 740.

(8 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)

(1) ÞE Mon þat luste to liuen in ese Or eny worschupe her to ateyne, His purpos I counte not worþ a pese, Witterli, but he ordeyne Þis wikkid world hou he schal plese Wiþ al his pouwer and his peyne; Ȝif he schal kepe him from disese, He mot lerne to flatere and feyne; Herte & mouþ loke þei ben tweyne, Þei mowe not ben of on assent; And ȝit his tonge he mot restreyne, ffor hos seiþ þe soþe, he schal be schent. (2) ¶ Þus is þe soþe .I.-kept in close, And vche mon makeþ touh and queynte To leue þe tixt and take þe glose; Eueri word þei coloure and peynte. Summe þer aren þat wolden suppose ffor no tresour forte ben teynte: Let a mon haue not to lose, He schal fynde frenschipe feynte. Summe þat semen an Innocent, Wonder trewe in heore entent, Þei beoþ agast of eueri pleynt, ffor hos seiþ þe soþe, he schal be schent. (3) ¶ Þe wikked wone we may warie, Þat eueri man þus Inward bledes. Let a lord haue his Corlarie, he schal wel knowe of al his dedes; Þauȝ he be next his sacratarie, Wiþ flaterynge his lord he fedes, And wiþ sum speche he most him tarie, And þus wiþ lesynges him he ledes; To gabben his lord most him nedes, And wiþ sum blaundise make him blent: To leosen his offys euere he dredes, ffor ȝif he þe soþe seiþ, he schal be schent. (4) ¶ And al is wrong; þat dar .I. preue; ffor let a mon be sore .I.-wounde, Hou schulde a leche þis mon releeue, But ȝif he miȝte ronsake þe wounde? ffor þauȝ hit smerte & sumdel greue, Ȝit most he suffre a luitel stounde. Ȝif he kneuh of his mischeue, Wiþ salues he miȝte make him sounde. Were grace at large, þat lippe i-bounde, Hap and hele mihte we hent; Lac of leche wol vs confounde, ffor hos seiþ þe soþe, he schal be schent. (5) ¶ ffor let a frere in Godes seruise Þe pereles to þe peple preche, Of vre misdede & vre quyntise, Þe trewe tixt to telle and teche; Þauȝ he beo riht witti and wyse, Ȝit luytel þonk he schal him reche, And summe þer ben þat wol him spise, And bleþely wayte him wiþ sum wreche. Þis pore prechour þei wolen apeche At counseyl and at parliment; But ȝif he kepe him out of heore cleche, ffor his soþ sawe he schal be schent. (6) ¶ Seþþe þe tyme þat god was boren, Þis world was neuer so vntrewe; Men recchen neuer to ben for-sworen, To reuen þat is hem ful duwe; Þe peynted word þat fel bi-foren, Be-hynde, hit is anoþer hewe. Whon Gabriel schal blowe his horn, His feble fables schul hym rewe: Þe tonges þat such bargeyn gon brewe, Hit weore non harm þouȝ þei were brent. Þus þis gyle is founde vp of newe, ffor hos seiþ soþ, he schal be schent. (7) ¶ Siþen þe soþe dar no mon say, ffor drede to gete him a fo, Best .I. holde hit, in good fay, Let o day come, anoþer go And mak as murie as we may, Til eueri frend parte oþur fro. .I. drede hit draweþ to domes-day, Such saumples we han, & oþer two: Now knowes a child boþe weole & wo Þat scholde ben an Innocent, Whil hit is ȝong, is norissched so; But hos seiþ soþ, he schal be schent. (8) ¶ Þis world wol han his wikked wone, ffor soþe, hit wol non oþer be; His cursede cours þat is bi-gonne, Þer may no mon from hit fle Þat haþ longe a-mong vs ronne, His oune defaute mai he not se. Þe fader trust not to þe sone, Ne non to oþer in no degre; ffalshede is called a sotilte And such a nome hit haþ hent. Þis lesson lerneþ alle at me: Ho seiþ þe soþe, he schal be schent. 10. Fy on a faint Friend!

(9 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) Frenschipe faileþ & fullich fadeþ; ffeiþful frendes fewe we fynde, But glosers þat vche mon gladeþ Wiþ feire bi-hesteþ and wordes as wylde. But let a mon ones be cast be-hynde, And wiþ þis world turmented & tenet, He schal ful sone ben out of mynde. And þere, fy on a feynt frend! (2) ¶ Þe while þat þou ledest þi lyf in ese And goodlich gouernest þyn astate, Þe fyndest Inouwe þat wol þe plese And folwe þi wil boþe erliche & late. Ȝif þi los bi-gynne to abate, And þy good from þe gon wende, Þei schul be þe furste þat þe wol hate: And þer, fy on a feynt frende! (3) ¶ Þus þou schalt, ar þou haue nede, Al þi frendes folly I-knowen And seyen heo dor not helpen þe ffor drede, for fere þei lost her owen. Þei þat sum tyme wente ful lowe, hem luste no lengore wiþ þe to lende, Beo-hynde þi bak heo makeþ a Mouwe. And þer, fy on a feynt frende! (4) ¶ To þi-self trust al-wei best, ffor as þou dost, so schaltou haue. Brek þe leste bouȝ of þi nest, Þe fyndest .I.-nouwe wol hit þe bi-raue, And wole dispise þe and repraue, And sakeles wayte þe schame and schende: In such a cas, so god me saue, And euere, fy on a feynt frende! (5) ¶ Ȝif þou wolt not ben frendles, Lern to kepe þat þou hast; Loke þou be not penyles, Ne spend þou nouȝt þi good in wast. Or þou haue nede, þi frendesMS. frendest a-tast, Wȝuche be stif & wȝuche wol bende; And þer þou fynde bouwynde or bast, And euer, fy on a feynt frende! (6) ¶ In feiþ, þat ffrendschip hold .I. nouȝt To profer þe, whon þou hast no nede; But ȝif þou weore in daunger brouȝt, Hose helpeþ þe þenne is worþi meede. Hose wolde þe nouþer profre ne beode, He serueþ þonk wiþ-outen ende; Such frendes are fewe I-laft in leode. And þerfore, fy on a feynt frende! (7) ¶ Ho scholde eny frendschupe ben .I.-founde? Good feiþ is flemed out of þis londe; Þer is more treuþe in an hounde Þen in sum mon, .I. vnderstonde. Knackes & mowes þei han In honde Witterli to plese þe fende. He þat furst þat frendschip fonde, Euer fy on him, for a feynt frende! (8) ¶ Eueri mon .I. counseile To gouerne him in such a wyse, Ȝif hit so beo þat frendschup fayle, His owne deden wol maken him ryse; Hold him In a mene asyse Euer to beo corteys and hende; Þen baldely may he dispise, Euere fy on a feynt frende. (9) ¶ Þi[s] lessun loke þat ȝe leore, Whon ȝe haþe soþe souȝt and seid; Trust on non such frendschup here; Ho sannest do, is tytes bi-trayed. Loke al ȝor loue on him beo leyd, ffor vs on Rode was prikket & prenet; Do we so þat crist beo payet And þenne we hauen a syker frend. 11. Thank God of all.

(17 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) BI a wey wandryng as .I. went Sore .I. syked for serwyng sad; ffor harde happes þat .I. haue hent, Mournyng mad me al-most mad. Vn-til a lettre al-one me lad Þat wel was writen on a wal; A blisful word þer .I. rad Euere to þonke god of al. (2) ¶ Þauȝ þou waxe blynd or lome, Or eny seknesse on þe be set, Þenk riht wel hit is no schome, Wiþ such grace god haþ þe gret. In serwe & tene þou art .I.-knit, And þi catel bi-ginneþ to fal; .I. not neuere hou þou myst do bot, But euere to þonke god of al. (3) ¶ Ȝif þou welde worldes goode, Ryally rayed in þi rest, ffeir of face, freoly of foode, Nis non þe lyk, bi Est ne West, Ȝit god may senden as him lust, Riches to torne as a Bal. In vche a maner .I. holde hit best, Euere to þonke god of al. (4) ¶ Ȝif þi catel be-ginne to pase, And after waxest a pore mon, Tak good cumfort & bere good face, And trust on hym þat al good won. In God furst al goodnes bi-gon; He may vs reue boþe bour and hal. Better cumfort .I. non con, But euer to þonke god of al. (5) ¶ Þenk on Iob þat was so riche, Hou he wox pore from day to day; His beestes doun dyȝeden in eueri diche His catel vanischt al a-way; .I.-put he was in pore array Nouþer in purpul ne in pal, But in symple wede, as clerkes say, And euer he þonked god of al. (6) ¶ ffor faute of Catel, Iobpus floures ffaded and fel clene him fro; In seknesse he soffred scharpe schoures Wiþ honger, chele, repreof & wo. God sende him hele and catel bo, Toun and tour, and steede in stal, ffor he neuer grucched in wele ne wo, But euer þonked God of al. (7) ¶ Hose serueþ crist wiþ trewe entent, Þe ffend þerto wol han Envye, Þorw mis-beeleeue to make him schent, And he him cacche in his baylye. Þauh he þin hele and catel struye, Let studefast herte stonde in stal, And trustne to God þat sit so heiȝe And euer to þonken him of al. (8) ¶ Ac mony mon comeþ vp of nouȝt, And geteþ godes gret plente; Þorw pruide & bost he makeþ touȝt, And clene for-ȝit his pouerte. Þen grete wronges worcheþ he To hem þat he may ouer cal, ffor þat þei mowe no forþer fle, But euer to þonke god of al. (9) ¶ Me prikeþ þe Oxe in þe plouh, Whon he is ȝong, vntoun and wylde, He wol Rore and make hit touh, And of his drauȝt ben vn-bylde; Þe more he torneþ out of his tylde, Þe driuere wole him boxe and Bral: So god wol þe, but þou be mylde, And euere to þonken him of al. (10) ¶ Aȝeyn God to grucche is gret trespas, Þat such sondes may sende bi est & west; Þi worldlich wo may turne to solas Whon þou lyst clongen & closed in chest, Whon þou schalt wenden to trauayl or rest, Þi worldlich weole hit is but smal. In vche a maner, hit is þe best, Euer to þonke God of al. (11) ¶ ffor goddes loue, so do we, ffor he may boþe ȝiue and take; In what meschef þat euer we be, he is mihti I-nouȝ vr serwe to slake. Good amendes he wol vs make, And we to him wol crie & cal, What weole or wo þat we in wake, And euer to þonken god of al. (12) ¶ Þeiȝ þou be in prisun cast Or eny distresse men doþ þe beode, ffor godes loue þou beo studefast And haue good mynde vppon þi crede. Þenk God feyleþ þe neuer at neode, Þat derworþe duyk vs deme schal. Whon þou art wo, þerto tak hede, And euer to þonken him of al. (13) ¶ And þei þi frendes from þe fayle And deþ ha raft hem of heore lyue, Wharto schuldestou wepe or waile? Hit is no boote wiþ god to striue. God maade boþe Mon and wyue; hit is skil he tak vs; we ben his þral. What-so þou þole or elles to þryue, Euer to þonke god of al. (14) ¶ Diuerse sondes crist haþ .I.-sent Boþe here and eke in oþer place: Tac we hit wiþ trewe entent, Þe sannore he wole sende vs grace. Þauȝ þat vr bodies ben brouȝt in bace, Let not ȝor hertes ben vn-tal, And þenk þat god is þer he was, And euer to þonken him of al. (15) ¶ ffor Godes loue be not to wylde, Reule ȝow in Reson alle to Route, And tak wiþ trewe tent & mylde, Diuerse sondes crist sent a-boute: Þen dar .I. seyen wiþ-outen doute, In heuene-blisse is maad vr stal, To Riche & pore þat lowe wol loute, Euer to þonke God of al. (16) ¶ Þis world is good & nouȝt in gesse To hem þat wolen kuynde be, And parte aboute of heore richesse To hem þat ben In pouerte. A wonder þing hit is to se Þat kuynde loue adoun schal fal. Better cumfort non con .I. me, But euer to þonke god of al. (17) ¶ Ȝit .I. radde forþer-more— Trewe entent I tok þertil,— Þat crist may riht wel vr stat restore, Hit nis nouȝt to striuen aȝeines his wil. He may vs saue, he may vs spil; Þenk riht wel we ben his þral. Þouȝ we haue not al vr wil, Euermore þonke we god of al. 12. This World fares as a Fantasy.

(11 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)

(1) I wolde witen of sum wys wiht Witterly what þis world were. Hit fareþ as a foules fliht, Now is hit henne, now is hit here; Ne be we neuer so muche of miht, Now be we on benche, nou be we on bere, And be we neuer so war and wiht, Now be we sek, now beo we fere; Now is on proud wiþ-outen peere, Now is þe selue .I.-set not by; And whos wol alle þing her[t]ly here, Þis world fareþ as a ffantasy. (2) ¶ Þe sonnes cours we may wel kenne, Aryseþ Est and geþ doun West. Þe Ryuers in-to þe séé þei renne, And hit is neuer þe more al-mest. Wyndes Rosscheþ her and henne, In snouȝ and reyn is non arest. ¶ Whon þis wol stunte, ho wot, or whenne, But only god on grounde grest? Þe eorþe in on is euer prest, Now bi-dropped, now al druyȝe. But vche gome glit forþ as a gest; Þis world fareþ as a ffantasye. (3) ¶ Kunredes come, & kunredes gon, As Ioyneþ generacions; But alle heo passeþ, euerichon, ffor al heor preparacions, Sum are for-ȝete clene as bon A-mong alle-maner nacions. So schul men þenken vs no-þing on, Þat nou han þe ocupacions, And alle þeos disputacions Idelyche all vs ocupye, ffor crist makeþ þe creacions, And þis world fareþ as a fantasye. (4) ¶ Whuch is Mon, ho wot, and what, Wheþer þat he be ouȝt or nouht? Of Erþe & Eyr groweþ vp a gnat, And so doþ Mon whon al his souht. Þauȝ mon be waxen gret and fat, Mon melteþ a-wey so deþ a mouht; Monnes miht nis worþ a Mat, But nuyȝeþ him-self and turneþ to nouȝt. Ho wot, saue he þat al haþ wrouȝt, Wher mon bi-comeþ whon he schal dye? Ho knoweþ bi dede, ouȝt bote bi þouȝt? ffor þis world fareþ as a fantasye. (5) ¶ Dyeþ mon, and beestes dye, And al is on Ocasion: And alle o deþ, hos boþe drye, And han on Incarnacion; Saue þat men beoþ more sleyȝe, Al is o comparison. ho wot ȝif monnes soule styȝe, And bestes soules synkeþ doun? Who knoweþ Beestes entencioun, On heor creatour how þei crie, Saue only god þat knoweþ heore soun? ffor þis world fareþ as a fantasye. (6) ¶ Vche secte hopeþ to be saue, Baldely bi heore bi-leeue, ¶ And vchon vppon God heo craue: Whi schulde God wiþ hem him greue? Vchon trouweþ þat oþur Raue, But alle heo cheoseþ God for cheue, And hope in God vchone þei haue, And bi heore wit heore worching preue. Þus mony maters men dou meue, Sechen heor wittes hou and why, But Godes Merci vs alle bi-heue, ffor þis world fareþ as a fantasy. (7) ¶ ffor þus men stumble & sere heore wittes, And meueþ maters mony and fele; Summe leeueþ on him, sum leueþ on hit, As children leorneþ for to spele. But non seoþ non þat a-bit, Whon stilly deþ wol on hym stele. ffor he þat hext in heuene sit, He is þe help and hope of hele; ffor wo is ende of worldes wele: Vche lyf loke wher þat .I. lye. Þis world is fals, fikel and frele, And fareþ but as a fantasye. (8) ¶ Wharto wilne we forte knowe Þe poyntes of Godes priuete? More þen him lustnes forte schowe, We schulde not knowe in no degre, And Idel bost is forte blowe A Mayster of diuinite; Þenk we lyue in eorþe her lowe, And God an heiȝ in Mageste. Of Material Mortualite Medle we & of no more Maistrie. Þe more we trace þe Trinite, Þe more we falle in fantasye. (9) ¶ But leue we vre disputisoun, And leeue on him þat al haþ wrouȝt; We mowe no[t] preue bi no resoun Hou he was born þat al vs bouȝt. But hol in vre entencioun Worschipe we him in herte & þouȝt, ffor he may turne kuyndes vpsedoun Þat alle kuyndes made of nouȝt. Whon al vr bokes ben forþ brouht, And al vr craft of clergye, And al vr wittes ben þorw-out souȝt, Ȝit we fareþ as a fantasye. (10) ¶ Of fantasye is al vr fare, Olde & ȝonge and alle I-fere. But make we murie & sle care And worschipe we god, whil we ben here, Spende vr good and luytel spare; And vche mon cheries oþeres cheere, Þenk hou we comen hider al bare, Vr wey wendyng is in a were. Prey we þe prince þat haþ no pere, Tac vs hol to his Merci And kepe vr Concience clere, ffor þis world is but fantasy. (11) ¶ Bi ensaumple men may se: A gret treo groweþ out of þe grounde; No þing a-bated þe eorþe wol be Þauȝ hit be huge, gret and rounde. Riht þer wol Rooten þe selue tre, Whon elde haþ maad his kuynde aswounde; Þauȝ þer weore rote suche þre, Þe eorþe wol not encrece a pounde. Þus waxeþ & wanteþ Mon, hors & hounde; ffrom nouȝt to nouȝt þus henne we hiȝe And her we stunteþ but a stounde, ffor þis world is but fantasye. 13. Ay, Mercy, God!

(12 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) As I wandrede her bi weste ffaste vnder a forest syde, I seiȝ a wiht went him to reste, Vnder a bouȝh he gon a-byde; Þus to crist ful ȝeor[n]e he criȝede, And boþe his hondes he held on heiȝ: "Of pouert, plesaunce & eke of pruide. Ay, Merci, God, And graunt-Merci.I take Merci to be used in this poem in the twofold sense of Mercy and Thanks. (2) ¶ God, þat I haue I-greuet þe In wille & werk, in word and dede, Almihti lord, haue Merci of me Þat for my sunnes þi blod gon schede! Of wit & worschupe, weole & wede I þonke þe, lord, ful Inwardly; Al in þis world, hou euere I spede, Ay Merci, god, And graunt Merci. (3) ¶ Graunt Merci, god, of al þi ȝifte, Of wit & worschupe, weole & wo; In to þe, lord, myn herte I lifte, Let neuer my dedes twynne. vs a-two. Merci þat I haue mis do, And sle me nouȝt sodeynly! Þouȝ ffortune wolde be frend or fo, Ay Merci, God, And graunt Merci. (4) ¶ I am vnkuynde, and þat I knowe, And þou hast kud me gret kuyndenes; Þerfore wiþ humbel herte and lowe, Merci and for-ȝiuenes Of Pruyde and of vnboxumnes! What eueri sonde be, þus sey I, In hap and hele, and in seknes, Ay Merci, god, And graunt Merci. (5) ¶ Graunt Merci, God, of al þi grace, Þat fourmed me wiþ wittes fyue, Wiþ ffeet and hond, & eke of face And lyflode, whil I am alyue. Siþen þou hast ȝiue me grace to þryue, And I haue Ruled me Rechelesly, I weore to blame, and I wolde striue, But Merci, God, And Graunt Merci. (6) ¶ Merci þat I haue mis-spent Mi wittes fyue! þerfore I wepe; To dedly synnes ofte haue I asent, Þi Comaundemens couþe I neuer kepe; To sle my soule In sunne I slepe, And lede my lyf in Lecheri, ffrom Couetyse couþe I neuere crepe; Ay Merci, God, And Graunt Merci. (7) ¶ Of oþes grete and Gloteny, Of wanhope and of wikked wille: Bacbyte my neiȝhebors for enuy, And for his good I wolde him culle; Trewe men to Robbe and spille, Of Symony and with surquidri; Of al þat euere I haue don ille, Ay Merci, God, And graunt Merci. (8) ¶ Bi lawe I scholde no lengor liue Þen I hedde don a dedly synne; Graunt Merci þat ȝe wolde forgiue, And ȝeue me space to mende me Inne! ffrom wikked dedes & I wolde twynne, To Receyue me ȝe beo redi In-to þi blisse þat neuer schal blynne. Nou Merci, God, And graunt Merci. (9) ¶ Graunt Merci, for þou madest me, Merci, for I haue don a-Mis; Min hope, Min help is hol in þe, And þou hast ȝore bi-heiht me þis: Whos euere is Baptiȝed schal haue Blis, And he Rule him Rihtwysli. To worche þi wille, lord, þou me wis! Nou Merci, God, And graunt Merci. (10) ¶ Soþfast god, what schal I say, how schulde I amendes make, Þat plesed þe neuere in-to þis day Ne schop me nouȝt mi sunnes forsake? But schrift of mouþe mi sunnus schal slake, And I schal sece and beo sori, And to þi Merci I me take. Nou Merci, God, [And] Graunt Merci. (11) ¶ ffader & sone and holigost, Graunt Merci, God, wiþ herte liht, ffor þou woldest not þat I weore lost. Þe ffader haþ ȝiuen me a miht, Þe sone a science and a siht And wit to welde me worschupely, Þe Holigost vr grace haþ diht. Nou Merci, God, And graunt Merci. (12) ¶ Þis is þe Trone þat twynned neuere, And preued is persones þre, Þat is and was and schal ben euere, Only God in Trinite; help vs, Prince of alle pite, Atte day þat we schal dy, Þi swete face þat we may se. Nou Merci, God, And Graunt Merci. 14. Truth ever is best.

(9 stanxas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) HOse wolde him wei a-vyse Of þis wrecched world, I weene, I hope ful wel he schulde dispise Þe foule falshede þat þer-in bene. Certes, sum day schal be sene, Much eorþly labour schal be lest; Whon good and vuel vr dedes schal deme, We schal wel fynde þat treuþe is best. (2) Treuþe is best for kyng and kniht, Certes, hose riȝt wol rede; Among þis ladyes feir and briht Hit schulde be loued in vch a leode; Þis Marchauns worþli vnder wede, To buyȝe & selle þei ben ful prest, Among hem alle schuld no falshede, But vsen trouþe, þat euere i[s] best. (3) Sikerli, I dar wel say, In al þis world nis heo ne he, Þat þei wolde fayn, ȝif þat þei may, Leden heore lyf in prosperite, And als swiþe as þei schulde dyȝe, Til heuene þat þei mote come ful prest. Þat noble plase þei neiȝe ner neih But ȝif þei meyntene trouþe for best. (4) Trouþe schal deme vs alle be-dene, He wol do trewely and no wrong; I hope we schal boþe seye and sene Þat we han contraried him al to long. And þerfore, lordes boþe stout and strong Þat may deeme her riht as þé lest, ffor Godes loue wis þou so among, Þat trouþe be meyntened for þe best. (5) And þerfore haue þis in ȝour muynde, Hose medleþ wiþ þe lawe: Let neuer falshed aȝeynes vnkuynde ffordon trouþe ne soþ sawe. ffor falshed euermore schal stonde awe On trouþe þauȝ he be neuer so prest. ffor godes loue let neuer gold þe drawe Aȝeynes trouþe þat euer is best. (6) Wolde we rule us al wiþ trouþe, And mak him hollych vr gouernour, We schulde keuere out of synne & slouþe, And of Chiualrye bere þe flour: ffor trouþe in were may most endour, And euer is biggest at þe lest. ffor godes loue, graunt we him socour, And mayntene trouþe þat euer is best. (7) Trouþe was sum tyme here a lord; wiþ him alle vertues, as I wene; Ȝit Spayne, Brutayne wol bere record, And oþer diuerse londes be-dene, Þat we endouwed hem as þei schulde bene, And made hem lordes to lyue in rest: Þer dorste no falshede with hem be sene, So loued þei trouþe, þat euer is best. (8) Wolde we ȝit lete trouþe aȝeyn Be lord, and bere his heritage, Al oþer londes schuld be ful fayn To don vs feute and homage: Baldelych þis dar I wage, And falshede & his lore weore lest, Þei schulde not dure vn-to a page To werre with trouþe þat euer is best. (9) ffalshed may wel regne a while Þorw Meyntenaunce of couetise; Atte last his grount wol him be-gyle, A while þouȝ he be neuer so wyse. ffalshed haþ ben most in pris Boþe bi North and eke bi West: We schul him hunte as Cat doþ mys, Whon trouþe him cheues þat euer is best. 15. Charity is no longer dear.

(14 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) HOse wolde be-þenke him weel Ou þis world is went, I-wis, And couþe enterly grope & feel Þe foule falshede þat þer-in is, I durste be bold, so haue I blis, Þat mony good mon schuld haue mateere Te meue & mourne and fare a-Mis, ffor charite is no lengor cheere. (2) Mony a Mon, riht as him seemeþ, A þing þat he neuer kneuh ne wist, Boþe lordes & Mene Men he demeþ, And spekeþ of hem riȝt as him list. Allas! for ȝif a mon nou trist His broþer or his cosyn neere, He schal be deceyued in his fist, ffor charite is no lengore cheere. (3) Þo þat spekeþ most, as I leeue, And demen men so al aboute, Wher no faute vppon hem cleue, Ȝus, be my trouþe, hit is no doute, Such Men may not ben wiþ-oute, No more þen hecgh wiþ-outen Brere; Envye is wiþ hem so stoute, Þat charite is no lengore chere. (4) ffor þreo lettynges þat þer bene, A Mon mai not deeme rihtwislye: Þe furste lettyng, as I wene, A þing þat is to fer from eiȝe, Or elles a þing may beo to neiȝ, Schal lette his siht, þauȝ hit be clere; Þe þridde is, þat he demeþ bi, Whon charite is no lengore chere. (5) Ȝe mai in feelde sum tyme i-se A bosck þat stondeþ ful fer þe fro, Þat ȝe schal deme hit schal be Mon or Beest, hors, on of þo: And al is wrong to deeme hit so, Certes, as ȝe schal after lere. So demes a Mon ofte be his ffo, Whon charite is no lengore chere. (6) Ȝif þou hast an huge envy, And hatest a mon wiþ al þi miht, Liue þat mon neuer so rihtwisly, Ȝit schaltou deme he liueþ not riht; Envye stoppeþ þer þi siht, And makeþ fer, þat schulde be neere, And lac of loue letteþ þi liht, Whon charite is no lengore chere. (7) Vppon þin Eȝe-lide þer mai ley A spot or elles a mote, I-wis, And for bicause hit is so neiȝ, Þou maiȝt not seo hit, so haue I blis, To deme treuly what hit is; Þerfore þi doom falleþ in a weere. So demeþ a mon ofte syþes a-mis, Whon þat his herte is set from cheere. (8) Ȝif þou louest þi broþer so Þat þi loue passeþ al a-syse, What þat euer þi broþer do, Euel or wrong in eny wyse, Al is wel to þin avise, Bi cause þou louest him so entere; His defaute constou not spise, ffor þer þin herte is set to chere. (9) Let a lechour heere a-spye A ȝong mon with a wommon rage, And nouþer of heom ne þenke folye, But wel may falle of o linage, Ȝit wol þat lechour þinke outrage, And deeme þei wolde do mis I-fere: Such deemyng askeþ sliper wage, ffor charite þer is no-þing cheere. (10) And riȝt so fareþ hit, be my trouþe, Wiþ a proud Mon & a Couetous, A wrecche þat liueþ al in Slouȝþe, And eke a mon þat is vicyous; He wenes vch mon þat is vertuous Vseþ his wyse and his maneere; So fareþ Men þat beþ Envyous, Whon Charite is no lengor chere. (11) Let a trewe mon bi þe Rood, Þat is good, honest and sad, He weeneþ þat vche mon be good, He nolde not demen a mon weore bad. But wrecched fooles þat beoþ mad, Þat con not wel heore tonge steere, To deme þe worste þei ben ful glad, Whon Charite is no lengor cheere. (12) I leeue þer beo no mon alyue, Ȝif he his warison scholde winne, Þat couþe enterliche knowe & skreue Þe lyf þat is sum mon wiþ-Inne; ffor summe þat semeþ most wiþ synne, In hap of synne may beo most clere. Of such demyng I rede ȝe blynne, ffor Charite þer is no-þing chere. (13) And þo þat leouest is to lak, And demeþ men so al bideene, Vn-bynt þe burþen on ȝor bak, And loke furst þat ȝor-self be clene. Al such demyng, as I wene, Schulde beo reseruet to godes poueere; So me þinkeþ hit best to beone, ffor þen schal charite ben most cheere. (14) Certes, and ȝe loke ariht, A good word no more wol weye Þat hit liþ on ȝor tonge as liht, As þe worste þat ȝe con seye. Such Idel wordes, I ou preye, Ȝe louke hem faste in ȝoure forcere, And let concience bere þe keye; ffor þen schal charite be most chere. 16. Of Women cometh this Worldes Weal.

(10 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)

(1) In worschupe of þat Mayden swete, Mylde Marie, Moder and May, Alle gode wimmen wol I grete, Þat god fende hem from vch afray; With muche menske mote þei mete, And wel worþe alle wymmen ay! Al vr Bale þei may beete, Serteynliche, I dar wel say; And hose blameþ hem niht or day, Wiþ Bale mot heore tonge belle. I preue hit wel, ho-euer seiþ nay: Of wimmen comeþ þis worldes welle. (2) But moni vn-witti wiht is woode, Vn-wysliche wimmen wol dispyse, Þat ben I-boren of wimmen blode: I-wis, such wihtes ben vn-wyse, ffor þei defoule heor oune foode. Such grimly goostes may agryse, wiþ þulke þat dude god on þe Rode: At dredful dom such schal aryse, Be Iugged wiþ þe heiȝe Iustise To folewe þe false feendes fele, And rikene wiþ þe vnrihtwyse, Þat of wymmen comeþ worldes welle. (3) Sum seiþ wimmen haþ be-gilt Adam, Sampson and Salamon, And seiþ þat wimmen haþ I-spilt Mony a wys worþi mon: Þus þei greggen wymmens gilt; Of Monnes riken þei neuer on. And monnes falshed weore fulfild, I trowe þer weore twenti aȝeynes on, Of Macabeus, Iudas and Ion, Alisaundre and oþer feole, Þat with monnes gult was fordon; But of wimmen comeþ þis worldes wele. (4) And Iudas gentil Ihesu solde Þat saued alle þat was forlore! And monnes falsed weore I-tolde, Men miht rikene moni a score. Wommon wrouȝte riht as god wolde: Þat gult made god to ben I-bore: And þerfore beo ȝe neuer so bolde To blame wymmen neuer-more ffor nouȝt þat þei haue don bifore, ffor monnes schome I rede ȝe hele! Wimmen for Men ofte suffreþ sore, But of wymmen comeþ þis worldes wele. (5) Wimmen wrouȝte neuer no wrong But þorw Monnes entysement. Men secheþ wimmen so strong, And sei in Bale þei mote be brent, And ligge aboute hem so long, To bringen hem til heore a-sent; And þus þorw monnes false song, Ofte wymmen haþ be schent. Ȝif eny such be in present, Stille holde him, I rede he stell, And preise wimmen in good entent, ffor of wymmen comeþ þis worldes wele. (6) God worschuped wimmen in his lyue, And kept hem in his cumpaygnye, Boþe widewe, wenche and wyue Þat was wiþ-outen vilenye. Hose luste with wymmen striue, I rede he drede him for to dye, And of þat synne sone him schriue, And to vr ladi Merci crye; And in worschip of Marie Such vn-Redines þat ȝe repele! Defendeþ ȝou alle from such folye, ffor of wymmen comeþ al þis worldes wele. (7) I holde þat Brid muche to blame Þat defouleþ his oune nest; Þou wost wel a wommon was þi dame, I-Boren and fed of hire Brest. But moni gabben on heore dame; To blame wymmen þei þinke hit best. Stunteþ for ȝor owne schame; Of such resouns I rede ȝe rest; To preyse wymmen þat ȝe be prest! Wymmen ben hende in hete and chele, Wimmen gladeþ vch a godly gest, ffor of wymmen comeþ þis worldes wele. (8) Wymmen wrappen vs in wede Whon we beo naked boren and bare, And of hire flesch fostreþ and feede, And ȝarken vs whon we ben ȝare. Whon we ben old, þei moste vs hede, And keuere vs out of mony a care; Whon we be nasti, nouȝt at neode, Neore wimmen help, hou schulde we fare? At dredful dom whon we schal dare ffor fere of false fendes feole, Whon vche mon schal his speche spare, Þen wommon help is al vr weole. (9) ffor God and Mon was fer atwinne Whon he made Monkuynde of Séé-flod: I wolde wite, whon þat Eue gon spinne, Bi whom þat ȝoure gentrie stod? Hou be-come ȝe godes kinne, But barelych þorw þe wommones blod? Allas, hou may men for synne Speke bi wymmen ouȝt bote good! Wimmen beoþ so mylde of mood, Louesum, loueli, lyf and lele. Witnes on him þat died on Rood, Of wymmen comeþ þis worldes wele. (10) God, þat made boþe Sonne and Mone, To alle wymmen Socour he sende, In alle þe dedes þat þei haue done, Kepe hem from þe false fende. And to Marie I bidde a bone: Warde wymmen, wher-so-euer þei wende, ffrom synne and serwe schylde hem sone, Wher in londe þat euer þei lende! I warne alle þat be wimmenes frende, I con not preise hem þe haluendele, Þouȝ I þus schortliche make an ende: Of wymmen comeþ þis worldes wele. 17. The Praise of Mary, Mother of Christ.Note the effective repetitions in lines 57 and 101.

(13 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) Off alle floures feirest fall on, And þat is Marie, Moder fre, Þat bar þe child of flesch and bon, Ihesu, Godes sone in Maieste. A loue-likyng is come to me To serue þat ladi, qwen of blis, Ay better and better in my degre, Þe lengor þat I liue, I-wis. (2) So hertly I haue I-set my þouȝt vppon þat buyrde of buyrdes best; ffor al-þauh I seo hire nouȝt, Min herte schal fully wiþ hire be fest. Ihesu þat sek milk of hire brest, To ȝou boþe I be-heete: Mi loue schal holly wiþ ȝou rest, Þauȝ I be not worþi ne meete. (3) Sertes, swete, on ȝou is al Min helpyng at myn endyng-day; Þat I be not þe fendes þral, Marie, to ȝor sone ȝe pray. Hou schal I do, my swete may, But ȝif I loue ȝou souereynly? Elles miht men boldly bi me say Daunger mad vnskilfuly. (4) Hose beþenkeþ him, I-wis, Of ȝor gret goodnesse and ȝor grace, He scholde neuer wilne to don amis, Ne luste to loue in oþer place. In hope to seo ȝor blessed face, And dwelle wiþ ȝou at myn endynge, And haue relese of alle trespace, Ladi, þauȝ I mourne I synge. (5) Lentun-dayes, þei ben longe, And nou weor good tyme to amende Þat we be-foren han do wronge; Þis world nis noþing, as I wende. In sori tyme my lyf Isspend; Þis world is fals, and þat I feel; But Marie Moder me amende, A-Mis I fare, and noþing wel. (6) But þat swete worþli wyf, Hire goodly loue þat I may gete, Al my Ioye wol turne to strif, And I may syke with wonges wete: Whon þat I þenke on þat swete, Me þinkeþ hit is so good a þouȝt, I sey to eueri mon þat I meete "Gode, go wey, and let me nouȝt!" (7) Loue me haþ in Bales brouȝt, ffor on such þat I suppose, Þat is so studefast in hire þouȝt, Þat couþe neuere gabbe ne glose. Hose hire loueþ, he schal not lose, ffor ȝit be-giled heo neuer no wiht. I likne þat ladi to þe Rose: I-blessed beo þat buirde briht! (8) Me longede neuere so sore, so sore, To seo my loueli ladi deere. Ȝif heo neore, we neore but lore, Þat ladi lofsum most of lere. And wite hit wel wiþ-outen weere: Whon I þenk on hire semblaunt sad, Þer wol no wys mon blame me here, Þauȝ þat I go murie and glad. (9) A louely lyf to loken vp-on, So is my ladi, þat Emperys; Mi lyf I dar leye þer-vppon, Þat princesse is peerles of prys, So feir, so clene, so good, so wys, And þerto trewe as eny steel, Þer nis no such to my deuys: Lor God, þat I loue hire wel! (10) To þis newe ȝer, my ladi sweete, Wiþ al myn herte in good entent, Wiþ fyue Aues I ow grete, And preye ou take þis feire present; And schape so þat I beo not schent, Seþþen of ȝou Merci gon springe. ffor al my loue is on ȝou lent, Sweete, swettest of alle-skunnes þinge! (11) Þis is þe remenaunt of my lust, Þat I not wheþer my ladi mylde To my loue haue inly trust, Bicause Monkuynde is frele and wylde. But, ladi, for ȝoure blisful childe, Siþen al my loue is leyd on þe, In heuene help me a boure to bylde, Ladi, ȝif þi wille be. (12) Þe loue þat I haue ȝeorned ȝore, Þe kyng of loue graunt hit me! In eorþly loue is luytel store, ffor al þat nis but vanyte. Wher I schal euer þat day I-se, To plese my ladi ones to pay? Heo is of colour and beute As fresch as is þe Rose In May. (13) Hose lust not loue, let hym be-leue, ffor I wol holde þat I haue hiht; Þat lust schal no mon from me reue Þat I nul loue my ladi briht. Loue, loue, do me riht, Marie Mooder, Mayden clene, In heuene of þe to haue a siht, Ladi, to þe my mone I mene. 18. Maiden Mary and her Fleur de Lys.

(17 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) MArie Mayden, Moder Mylde, Þat blisful Bern in bosum beere, Cheef & chast þou ches of chylde Of alle wymmen In world þat were: Saue vs sound, and socur vs here, As princes is preised & proued for prys. What leode þis lesson lykes to lere, Be token hit is þe fflourdelys. (2) Þat freoli flour weore fair to fynde, what gome wolde go þer as hit greuȝ. As Maacer herof made in his Mynde; Þus kenned him Catoun, his craftes he kneuȝ, What segge on soil þat þat seed seuȝ, Hit is holy at myn avys; Aboue þe Braunches beþ Blosmes neu, Þe lele cheses faire þe fflourdelys. (3) Þou lele ladi, I likne to þe Þe flour, to þi semeli sone also Þe blisful Blosme þat euer mihte be, Treuly þat was be-twix ȝou to. Whon we weore wrapped al in wo Þorw werkes þat we had wrouȝt wrongwys, Þi godnes gert vs graiþly go Þorw vertu of þi fflourdelys. (4) fful greiþli was þe graunted grace Whon Gabriel from god þe gret, Þat fel to þi feet bi-fore þi face, Þe Murieste meetyng þat euer was met. So sittyngli hire sawes heo set, As a wommon boþe war and wys: "To seo þi seruaunt and þi soget;" And þer bi-gon furst þi fflourdelys. (5) In hond þou haddest & heold vr hele; Þorw him þat hadde heiȝ heuene in holde What Murþe was mad no Mouþ miȝt mele, Whon þou þat worþly hed wonnen in wolde. He com to keuere vs of cares colde, His pepul he put in paradys, Þat tyde and tyme þe Angel tolde, Of þe schulde springe þe fflourdelys. (6) Þat Blisful Barn of þe was born Þat suffred trauayle, boþe trey and tene, Throly þhrusten, & throng wiþ þorn, Of his cunreden vnkuynde and kene, ffrom top to-torn al bi-deene, Þe Iewes þei Iugged his Iuwys, And dyȝed for Adam deedes bi-deene, And þenne was sprongen þe fflourdelys. (7) A studi steer þer stod ful steere ffor steeres-men þat bi stremes gun stray, And neore his worþly wille weore, Þei wolde haue went a wilful way; No feyntysenes þei founden in fay, Þat burth was buried In Marbel bys, And whon god wolde he went his way, And þenne was sprad þe fflourdelys. (8) Where his worþli wilnyng was, Hit weore to wite whoder he went; Þe geynest gate greiþli he tas, Til derknes dipt doun he decent; Þe ȝates he russchede, and al to-Rent, Þer Lucifer, þat luþere, lys; Adam and Eue bi hond he hent, And tauȝte hem faire þe fflourdelys. (9) Þus haþ þis heende herewed helle, Al Adames of-spring out haþ tan; Þe fend, þat was boþe fers and felle, He tiȝed til a stok, stille as stan. Vp of his graue þen is he gon, As God and Mon to-gedere gon Rys, Bodily boþe in blod and bon To þe Maudeleyn he schewed þe fflourdelys. (10) Þus purchased he þe pepul heor pees And goodly for-ȝaf hem al heore gilt, And seide, "Adam, eft nou I þe sese In blisse, þat for blod was buld; No wey wonde, but wurch what þou wilt." Þus haþ he now bitauȝt þat wyse, And þus feole prophecies ben folfild Of Marie wiþ þi fflourdelyse. (11) Of bounte berestou þe þe best; Was neuer no buirde such beute bare; Crist of þe com, vre cumfort to kest, To ȝelde þe þat we ȝerned ȝare. At his steiȝynge, þei stod to stare How cleer in Clouden he cloumben is; What wy in þat worþily wonyng ware, Þer miht he fynden þe fflourdelys. (12) Þus was al þis world in weere; Þen seide two wyȝes in weedes whyt: "To heiȝ heuene what be-holde ȝe here? Is Ihesu take from ȝow þus tyd? A-peere he schal in propre plyt As he in werk[e] con vanys; Her afturward hit weore to wite, Of hire þat bar þe fflourdelys. (13) So lelly his loue on þe was lent, Þi longyng, ladi, for to lete; So semely sondes after þe he sent, Be-sydes him self to sitte in sete; Þei song al samen with soun ful swete, As schewen and stand in þistoris; Wiþ more murþes miȝt neuer mon meete, But þer to fynde þe fflourdelys. (14) Siþen þou þi worþly wones hast wonnen, And wones In worschipe at þi wille, Vre grith was graunted, vr grace bigunnen, ffor vs þat was ordeyned þertille. Puire dette proueþ bi proper skille Þou schalt vs socour in þi seruys, Þat greiþes was for greuaunce to grille, And for to bere þe flourdelys. (15) Of al þe floures bi ffrith and ffelde, Hit is þe freolokest for to fynde, Þat weole & wit and wisdam welde, And al þis word haþ wrouȝt In wynde. Nou, comely kyng, Corteis and kynde, Þat halp vs heere from vre enemys, Þe mon þat þis matere made in mynde Seide: non is lich to þe fflourdelys. (16) Hedde not Adam don þat dede, Vr bitter bales hed neuer ben bouȝt On no maner, for no-kenes nede, Ne for no werkes we schuld haue wrouȝt. Al þus I þenk hit in my þouȝt, Monkynde for vs bi-com so chys; his blisful Blod þorw him þei souȝt; Vs ouȝte to prey to þe fflourdelys. (17) Nou Marie Mayden, Moder clene, Þi semeli Sone þat beres þe fflour, Ȝif vs grace ow to qweme And plese Ihesu, vr saueour. Bryng vs out of dette & dedly synne, To liue and dye in þi seruys, Heuene blisse þat we may wynne And wone þer wiþ þi fflourdelys. 19. Seldom seen is soon forgot. (On Edward III, his Sons, and Richard II.Printed from the Simeon MS., Brit. Mus., Addit. 22,283, leaf 132, in T. Wright's Political Poems and Songs, Rolls Series 14, vol. i, p. 215-218.

(14 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) Adere God, what mai þis be, Þat alle þing weres & wasteþ awai? ffrendschip is but a vanyte, vnneþe hit dures al a day; Þei beo so slipercliper, Wright, and in l. 79, p. 721. at assai, So leof to han, and loþ to lete, And so fikel in heore fai, Þat selden I-seiȝe Is sone forȝete. (2) I sei hit not wiþ-outen a Cause, And þerfore takes riht good hede, ffor ȝif ȝe construwe wel þis Clause, I puit ȝou holly out of drede Þat for puire schame ȝor hertis wol blede, And ȝe þis Matere wysli trete: He þat was vr moste spede, Is selden I-seye and sone forȝete. (3) Sum tyme an Englisch Schip we had, Nobel hit was and heih of tour; Þorw al cristendam hit was drad, And stif wolde stande In vch a stour, And best dorst byde a scharp schour And oþer stormes, smale and grete: Now is þat schip þat bar þe flour Selden seȝe and sone forȝete. (4) In-to þat schip þer longed a Rooþur, Þat steered þe schip & gouerned hit; In al þis world nis such a noþur, As me þinkeþ In my wit; Whyl Schip and Roþur to-geder was knit, Þei dredde nouþer tempest, druyȝe nor wete: Nou be þei boþe In-synder flit: Þat selden seyȝe is sone forȝete. (5) Scharpe wawes þat Schip has sayled, And sayed alle sees at auentur; ffor wynt ne wederes neuer hit fayled, Whil þe Roþur mihte enduir; Þouȝ þe séé were rouh or elles dimuir, Gode hauenes þat Schip wolde gete: Nou is þat Schip, I am wel suir, Selde I-seye and sone for-ȝete. (6) Þis goode Schip, I may remene To þe chilualrye of þis londe: Sum tyme þei counted nouȝt a Bene Beo al ffraunce, Ich vnderstonde, Þei tok & slouȝ hem with heore honde, Þe power of ffraunce, boþ smal & grete, And brouȝt þe king hider to byde her bonde: And nou riht sone hit is forȝete. (7) Þat Schip hadde a ful siker mast, And a sayl strong and large, Þat made þe gode schip neuer agast To vndertake a þing of charge; And to þat Schip þer longed a Barge, Of al ffraunce ȝaf nouȝt a clete, To vs hit was a siker targe: And now riht clene hit is forȝete. (8) Þe Roþur was nouþer Ok ne Elm, Hit was Edward þe þridde, þe noble kniht; Þe prince his sone bar vp his helm, Þat neuer scoumfited was in fiht. Þe kyng him rod and Rouwed ariht, Þe prince dredde nouþur stok nor strete. Nou of him we lete ful liht: Þat selde is seȝe is sone forȝete. (9) Þe swifte Barge was Duk henri, Þat noble kniht & wel assayed, And in his leggaunce worþili He a-bod mony a bitter brayd; Ȝif þat his enemys ouȝt outrayed, To chartis hem wolde he not lete. Nou is þat lord ful lowe I-leyd: Þat selde is seȝe is sone forȝete. (10) Þis gode comunes, bi þe Rode, I likne hem to þe Schipes mast, Þat with heore catel & heore goode Meyntened þe werre boþ furst & last. Þe wynd þat bleuȝ þe schip wiþ Blast, hit was gode preȝers, I sei hit a trete. Nou is deuoutnes out I-cast, And mony gode dedes ben clen forȝete. (11) Þus ben þis lordes I-leid ful lowe, Þe stok is of þe same Rote, An Ympe bi-ginnes for to growe And ȝit I hope schal ben vr bote, To holde his fomen vnder fote And as a lord be set in sete. Crist leue þat he so mote, Þat selden I seȝe be not forȝete! (12) Weor þat Impe ffully growe, Þat he had sarri sap and piþ, I hope he schulde be kud and knowe ffor Conquerour of moni a kiþ; He is ful lyflich in lyme and liþ, In armes to trauayle and to swete. Crist leeue we so fare him wiþ, Þat selden seȝe be neuer forȝete! (13) And þerfore holliche I ou Rede; Til þat þis Ympe beo fully growe, Þat vch a Mon vp wiþ þe hede, And Mayntene him boþe heiȝe and lowe. Þe ffrensche men cunne boþe boste & blowe, And wiþ heore scornes vs to-þrete, And we beoþ boþe vnkuynde & slowe: Þat selden seȝe is sone forȝete. (14) And þerfore, gode sires, takeþ reward Of ȝor douhti kyng þat dyȝede in age, And to his sone Prince Edward, Þat welle was of alle Corage: Suche two lordes of heiȝ parage In not in eorþe whon we schal gete,[I know not] And nou heore los biginneþ to swage: Þat selde I-seȝe is sone forȝete. 20. A Warning to be ware. (On the Earthquake of 1382.Printed from the Simeon MS. by T. Wright in Polit. Poems and Songs, Rolls Series, i. 250-2.)

(11 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) Yit is God a Curteis lord And Mekeliche con schewe his miht; ffayn he wolde bringe til a-cord Monkuynde, to liue in treuþe ariht. Allas! whi set we þat lord so liht, And al to foule wiþ him we fare? In world is non so wys, no wiht, Þat þei ne haue warnyng to be ware. (2) We may not seye, but ȝif we lyȝe, Þat god wol vengaunce on vs stele, ffor openly we seo wiþ eiȝe, Þis warnynges beoþ wonder & fele. But nou þis wrecched worldes wele Makeþ vs liue in Sunne and care. Of Mony Merueyles I may of Mele, And al is warnyng to be ware. (3) Whon þe Comuynes bigan to ryse, Was non so gret lord, as I gesse, Þat þei in herte bi-gon to gryse, And leide heore Iolyte in presse. Wher was þenne heore worþinesse, Whon þei made lordes droupe & dare? Of alle wyse men I take witnesse, Þis was a warnyng to be ware. (4) Bi-fore, ȝif men hedde haad a graas, Lordes mihte wondur weel Han let the rysing þat þer was, But þat god þouȝte ȝit sumdel Þat lordes schulde his lordschup feel, And of heore lordschipe make hem bare. Trust þer-to as trewe as steel, Þis was a warnyng to be ware. (5) And also, whon þis eorþe qwok, Was monnon.—Wright. so proud, he nas a-gast, And al his Iolite for-sok, And þouȝt on god whil þat hit last; And alsone as hit was ouer past, Men wox as vuel as þei dude are! Vche mon in his herte may cast, Þis was a warnyng to be ware. (6) ffor soþe, þis was a lord to drede, So sodeynly mad Mon agast! Of gold & seluer þei tok non hede, But out of her houses ful sone þei past. Chaumbres, Chimeneys al to-barst, Chirches & Castels foule gon fare, Pinacles, Steples to grounde hit cast; And al was warnyng to be ware. (7) Þe Meuyng of þis eorþe I-wis, Þat schulde bi cuynde be ferm & stabele, A pure verrey toknyng hit is, Þat Mennes hertes ben chaungable, And þat to falsed þei ben most Abul; ffor wiþ good feiþ wol we not fare: Leef hit wel wiþ-outen fabel; Þis was a warnyng to be ware. (8) Þe Rysing of þe comuynes in londe, Þe pestilens,Possibly the 5th plague,—the Black Death of 1348-9 being the First, the plague of 1361 the Second, that of 1368-9 the Third, and that of 1375 the Fourth, while that of 1390-1 was the Fifth.—Creighton, i. 206-219. But a less Plague was in 1382. and þe eorþe-quake, Þeose þreo þinges, I vnderstonde, Beo-tokenesBeoth tokenes.—Wright. þe grete vengaunce & wrake Þat schulde falle for synnes sake, As þis Clerkes conne de-clare. Nou may we chese to leue or take, ffor warnyng haue we to ben ware. (9) Euere I drede, be my trouþe, Þer may no warnyng stande in sted; We ben so ful of synne and slouþe, Þe schame is passed þe sched of hed, And we liggen riht heuy as led, Cumbred in þe ffendes Snare. I leeue þis beo vr beste Red To þenke on þis warnyng & be ware. (10) Sikerliche, I dar wel saye, In such a plyt þis world is in: Mony for wynnyng wolde bi-traye ffader and Moder and al his kin. Nou were heih tyme to be-gin To A-Mende vr mis & wel to fare; Vr bagge hongeþ on a slipercliper, Wright. pyn, Bote we of þis warnyng be ware. (11) Be war, for I con sey no more, Be war for vengauns of trespas, Be war and þenk vppon þis lore, Be war of þis sodeyn cas, And ȝit Be war while we haue spas, And þonke þat child þat Marie bare Of his gret godnesse and his gras Sende vs such warnyng to be ware. 21. Love Holy Church and its Priests.

(8 stanzas of 8; nos. 1 and 2 abab cdcd; nos. 3-8 abab abab.)

(1) Crist ȝiue vs grace to loue wel holichirch, Or elles, certes, we don riht nouht, And let vs neuere aȝeynes hit worche: ffrom þenne vre cristendom is brouht. Preostes weore at vre biginnynge; Wȝuche God haþ graunted hem pouete ffor vs to rede I-wis and synge, Is non so gret a dignyte. (2) Þei ȝaf vs vre Cristenynge, And at vr buriinge þei moste be. To worschipe hem in alle þinge, Muchel þerto holden beo we. Godus bodi may no mon make But preostes al-one, as we rede: Kyng ne Emperour, I non out-take, ffor alle heore richesses of lond or leode. (3) Of alle Ordres he beres þe prys, Kyng, Duyk, oþer Emperour, Þouh heo weren þe fflourdelys, Þat is richest of alle colour. In Matynes and vses þei ben wys, To bringe vs to vr longe bour, And vche day syngeþ a Masse to þis, And scheweþ vs Ihesus, vre sauiour. (4) In Matyns and Masse þei beren þe prys, And in heore orisons for vs þei pray: Þer is no mon þat is wys Þat oþur record bi heom may say. Hose loueþ þis ordre, I holde him wys, ffor certeyn soþ and in good fay, In holy chirche þei don seruys Boþe bi nihtes and bi day. (5) But hose euer wole þis ordre bere, Wys and witti moste he be, Grete oþes may he non swere, Ne falshede nouþer don ne se; By-fore þe Bisschop receyueþ he þere, And takeþ þe ȝok of chastite. A-vyse hem wel hou he hit were, Oþer elles him schal rewe oþer me. (6) Whon we ben falle in eny mischef, Wiþ serwe In dedly synne I-bounde, Þen is þe prest vs ful leef, ffor he may helen vs of þat wounde. ffor þer is non so strong a þeef Þat euer tok cristendom on godes grounde, Þat he most haue a preest bi-foren his deþ, Or elles he schal warie þe stounde. (7) On domes-day whon we schul meete Þat dredful Iuge forte se, Þen is schrift to vs ful seete: Þe prest þerof record beres he. Of alle bales he may beete Vnder god In Trinite; Þenne Schrift & hosul is ful swete, And hit trewely holden be. (8) Þis ordre I rede þat we honoure, And so I counseyle þat we do, And take penaunce for sunnes oure Whuche þe prest haþ Iuned vs to;[or Inned] Þen schal we come to þat boure Þer euere is Ioye wiþ-outen wo. Ihesu bring vs and socoure. Out of þis world whon we schal go. 22. Try to say the best. Control your Tongue.

(7 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) Qween of heuene, Moder and may, Saue hem alle nou þat ben here. A noble word haue I herd say, fful profytable þat is to lere, Bi-twene God and Mon In fere To wynne worschupe hose euer lust: Now þenk vpon þis word so dere And fond euermore to seye þe best. (2) Spek non euel in no place, But kepe þi tonge and get þe a frend; Þat wikked word from þe nou pace, Hit is but tysyng of þe fend. Ȝif þou beo in eny euel tent And k[n]owe hit for an euel geste, Keep þi tonge curteys and gent, And fond euermore to sey þe beste. (3) Now, for his loue þat bouȝte þe dere, Let not þi tonge haue al þe wil! What artou þe bettre or þe more nere, Wiþ a wikked word þi neiȝebor to spil? ffor Mari loue, tak tente þer-tille, Wheþer þou gost bi Est oþur Weste, Euur to kepe þi tonge stille Oþur elles to fonde to sey þe beste. (4) Ȝif þou sey þe beste wiþ al þi miht, Men wol esschewe by-fore þe To speke evel bi eny wiht, ffor þou wolt not heore felawe be; Þer þou spekest, þou maiȝt se Wordes þat ben wikked and preste. Nou, for his loue þat dyed on tre, ffonde euermore to sey þe beste! (5) In halle oþur in chaumbre wher þow gos, What þou here and what þou se, Euure þou kepe þi tonge clos, Þat men frayne nouȝt at þe. Ȝif þou heere faute oþer eny fole, As þou may here bi mony a geste, Nou, for his loue þat dyed on tre, ffonde euer more to sey þe beste! (6) Wiþ eny mon ȝif þou haue ben eke In his seruyse bi niht oþer day, Alle þe good þat þou may, speke, Whon þat þou art went a-way: Þenne wol men bi þe say, Þat þou art curteys and wel I-bleste. Ȝif þou knowe ouȝt þat disese may, ffonde euur more to sey þe beste! (7) Ȝif þou beo riche mon of mony a beeste, And stifli þou may stonde in stede, Pore men disese nouȝt bi doing ne cheste; Nouþer for word ne for dede, But help hem wel in alle heore nede, So crist þi soule bringe to reste. Nou to þis word ȝe take good hede: ffor Marie loue to seye þe beste. 23. Tarry not till to-morrow.

(9 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc)

(1) Ilke a wys wiht scholde wake And waite, with werk heuen to wynne, Sadliche, for goddes sake, And set ȝoure soule sauely fro synne. Ȝif þou haue kynges of þi kynne, And in þi clos, catel and corn, Amende þi misses more and minne, And mak no tarijng til to-Morn. (2) Þou leod þat liues as lord in londe, Þenk hou lowe þou schalt aliht, Þauȝ þou haue hundredus at þin honde To holde þin heste in herte has hiht. Ȝif þou bragge for þi Beȝanus briht, Bi-holde hou bare þat þou was born; Þis dai þou dresse þi dole and diht, Leste þat þou dye longe er to-Morn. (3) Þou freike þat art in frendschupe fast And þinkest no foot mon is þi fere; Whon þi pompe and pride is past, A pore renaunt schal beo þi pere. Loke in londe, and þou mai lere Hou liȝtly þat þi lyf is lorn; Whon þi bodi is brouht on bere, As þou hast browen, þou broukest to-Morn. (4) Gome, er þou giue vp þi gost, Bi-greiþ ho schal gripe þi goode: He schal hit haue þou hatest most: So fares hit ofte, be myn hode! Þen al þi fee fonges but foode. ffor-þi ordeyne þi fare be-forn, And with a-boue mende þi mis in mode:[or a bone] Hit wol þe menske aȝeyn to-Morn. (5) Parte with ȝor godes in priuete Vn-to þe pore with-outen pride: Hit wol þe brynge in blisse to be, Wiþ-outen bale to buylde & byde. Þou sette þi seketur fro þi syde, He wol þe swyke þouȝ he be sworn, Þin hord, whon he may, hent oþur hyde, Trust him not after to-Morn. (6) Þe Sikernes of þi Seketoure, Þis is þe soþe to seo and say; Þauȝ he for þi loue lurke and loure, Þat he has lauht he wol nouȝt lay, But skelpe and scrope al þat he may; He lettes nouþer for skaþe ne skorn; Þi goodes whon he has geten a-way, Trust nouȝt on hem after to-Morn. (7) Mony a wiht wenes ful wel Out of þis world þei schal neuur wende; ffor feole lykinges þat þei feel, Þei make no fors of fo nor frende. Now trust riht wel þei schal be tenede, Ar bodi and soule a-two be torn. Of erþly ese þis is þe ende, Here to-day, a-wey to-morn. (8) Ihesus þat on þe Rode was don, ffrom wo and wondreþ þou vs wisse! Gladly graunte us vre bone And bryng us blessedly to þi blisse! ffor vre loue, Soþ hit is, Þi syde wiþ scharpe spere was schorn: Þou saue us þat we ben not his Þat wolde þat we weore tynt to-Morn. (9) Marie Moder, Mayden Mylde, On al mon-kuynde ȝe haue Merci! In feole fulþes we ben fuylede; Þis world vseþ þe flessches foly; Vn-to þi sone þou calle and cry, Crist crounet wiþ kene þorn, He ȝiue vs grace to wone him by! Þen schal vs tyde no teone to-Morn. 24. Make Amends for thy Sins.

(12 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) Bi a wode as I gon ryde. walkynge al mi-self alone, A boske of briddes bad me abyde Bi-cause þer songe mo þen one. Among þo foules euerichone, To on, gret hede I gan take, ffor he seyde wiþ reuþful mone, "ffor þi sunnes a-Mendes make!" (2) "Make amendes, mon, trewely," Seide þat foul wiþ feþeres blake. In myn herte i-went, wo was I, ffor he me bad amendes make. I stod and studied al þat day; Þat resun made me a niht to wake: Þen fond I þreo skiles in good fay Whi he me bad a-mendes make. (3) Þe furste skile þat I gan fynde, As hit bi-semes in my witte, Is a þing þat comes of kynde: Þat eueri mon schal haue a pitte. Whon top and to to-gedre is knitte, Þen schal þi proude wordes aslake. ffor-þi in eorþe er þou be ditte, Mon, of þi synnes a-mendes make! (4) Þat oþer skile is: þat þou schalt dye, Whuche tyme þou wost nere. And þou wustest witerly, Þow woldest fle þi deþ for fere. Þi laste bour schal ben a Bere, Ȝif þi frendes þe may take. Þerfore do wel while þou art here, And for þi sunnes a-Mendes make! (5) Þe þridde skile wol do þe wo Whon þou þenkest þer on I-wis: Whon þi lyf is clene I-go, Þou wost nere whoder to bale or blis. I fynde no clerk con telle me þis; Þerfore my serwe bi-ginnes to wake. Whon þou þenkest to don a-mis, Haue mynde of þis & amendes make! (6) Ensaumple we may sen al day As crist schewes among vs alle: To-day ȝif þou be stout and gay, To-morn þou lyst ded bi þe walle. Merci þenne to crie and calle, Hit is to late þi leue to take. Be war of folye er þou falle, And for þi sunnes amendes make! (7) Ȝif þou haue don a dedly synne wher-þorw þi soule scholde be schent, Al þe ȝer þou wolt lye þer-Inne In derknes til hit beo lent; Þen a ffrere þou wolt hent, Þi parisch prest for schame forsake. Of alle suche dedes, verament, I rede þe beo wys, & amendes make! (8) Ȝif þou be kyng and croune bere, And al þis world be at þi wil, Ȝit schaltou be pore as þou was ere, And þat þou knowest bi puire skil: A schete schal þi body hule And huyde þi cors for sinnes sake. Þerfore repente þou hast do ille, And for þi synnes amendes make! (9) Ȝif þou beo a fryk mon in þi floures, And haue vn-bouȝt boþe purpel & pal, At Masse ne Matyns ne at houres Þou kepes not come with-in þe chirche wal, Þer-in þi Sauor is ful smal, Of sleuþe may þou nouȝt awake: On day þou schalt leue hit al; Þerfore I rede, Amendes make! (10) Þauȝ þou haue riches gret plente, In world while þou liuest here, God made þi neiȝebur as wel as þe, And bouȝt ȝou boþe I-liche dere; Þauȝ he be nouȝt þi worldes pere, Do him no wrong, for synnes sake! To nouȝt shal turne þi proude chere: Þerfore I rede, þou amendes make. (11) Loke þou bere þe feir and euen, Þauȝ þou be lord, Bayli oþur Meire, ffor ofte men meten at vn-set steuen; Coueyte not þi neiȝebor to peyre. Þis world nis but a chirie feire, Nou is hit in sesun, nou wol hit slake, To-day artou lord, to-morn is þin heire: Þerfore I rede, þou amendes make. (12) Nou god, þat was in bethleem boren, And siþen died vppon þe tre, Let vs neuer ben for-loren, Lord, ȝif þi wille be. Marie Moder, Mayden briht, Preye for vr synnes sake, In heuene of þi sone to haue a siht, And heer in eorþe, Amendes make. 25. Suffer in Time, and that is best.

(6 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc, and one of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) Whon alle soþes ben souht and seene, Euerichone at heore deuys, Euer among, in tray and tene, Murþe is meyt wiþ malys; Aȝeynes cumfort comeþ cares kene, Aȝeynes vche a uertu is a vys. Of alle þe vertues þat þer beone, To suffre, hit is a þing of prys. Þerfore he þat wol be wys, And loue to rule him siker in rest, Loke þat he beo not to nys, But suffre in tyme, and þat is best. (2) Ȝif þou beo mon of mene a-syse Or gret lord in duresse, And þi stat may not suffise Of þi wronge to gete red[r]esse, Þen mostou worchen on þis wyse, And schewe to him such boxumnesse, Þat rouþe in his herte may ryse And wiþ-drawe his grete distresse; Ȝif he be Mesured wiþ Mekenesse, Þen pite in him hit wol be preste. Among alle þing, as I gesse, To suffre in tyme and þat is beste. (3) Ȝif þou be mon of gret degre, And a pore mon in his place fful wrongfully has greued þe, And don þe gref wiþ his trespace, Þe cuntrey con wel knowe and se Þou mai be venget in þat case; Ȝif þou be perset wiþ pite, Ȝit woltou spare him for a space. Ȝif þou so goodly schewe þi grace, Þe holigost is in þe feste: Þen godes blessyng schaltou in-brace, And suffre [in] tyme and þat is beste. (4) Hit is luytel worþ, seiþ Socrates, A glasen pot, is wayk and liht, To puiten him self to fer in pres A-ȝeynes a caudrun for to fiht. Þe soþe al day is seene in siht: Þe weikest ay bi-neoþe is cast. Þerfore sei I, bi god almiht, To suffre [in] tyme and þat is best. (5) Mon, ȝif þou wolt þe state meyntene. Wiþ lordes In counseil forte sette, Þer euer mon moste in certeyne Schewe his wisdom and his witte: Þen, what-so-euer hapnes þe to seyne, Let al þi wordes to wisdam knitte, Or summe of þe feeres wol taken in deyne, And for pruyde reson hitte. Ȝif þou here hem so chyde or flitte, Þer wol no reson in hem reste, Holt þi tonge and þi mouþ ditte, And suffre [in] tyme and þat is beste. (6) And aftur, whon þou woldest not wene, Whon alle soþes ben souȝt and sayd, Þi wordes þei wole take by-deene, And of þi speche þei wol holde hem payd: Þen schul þei abassched beone, And of heer errours ben dismayed, Whan þi wisdam schal be set and sene And alle heore folys ben displayed. Hasti men ben ofte outrayede Whon heore tonges ben to preste. Hose haþ ben ofte of sore hokes braide, Soffre [in] tyme and þat is beste. (7) Ȝif hit bi-tideþ be niht oþer day To falle in-til a cumpaignye Þer nyse folk wiþ folyes play, And out of reson þei ȝelle and crie, Þen mostou worchen wiþ þis assay, And holde vp oyl by and by, Til þou mowe priuely go þi way; Þen kuiþest þou wel þat þou art slih; I holde hit riht a gret foly To schewe reson þer non wol reste. Þer bi God and vre ladi, Suffre in hym and þat is beste. 26. Mane nobiscum, Domine!

(10 stanzas of 8; 9 abab bcbc; the 10th abab baba.)

(1) IN Somer bi-fore þe Ascenciun At Euensong on a Sonundai Dwellyng in my deuociun ffor þe pees fast gon I prai: I herde a Reson to my pai, Þat writen was with wordes þre, And þus hit is, schortly to say: Mane nobiscum domine! (2) What þis word is forte mene On Englisch tonge, I schal ȝou telle: In Concience and we be clene, Digne þi, lord, with vs to dwelle,— Þe feondes pouste for to felle,— Þat for vs. diȝede vppon þe tre; In wit and worschipe, wei and welle, Mane nobiscum, domine! (3) Whon þou from deth was risen and gon, Þen as a Palmere forþ gon pas, Þo met þou pilgrimes makyng moon, But ȝit þei wust neuer who þou was. Þus þen Carpes Cleophas: Þe Niht is neih as we may se, Þe liht of þe dai is waxen las: Mane nobiscum, domine! (4) Dwelle with vs, vr fader dere, Þi bidyng is in heuene-blis, And euure þi name be halewed here. Þi kyngdom let vs neuere mis. In heuene þi wille folfuld is, And heere in eorþe þat hit so be! Þe Rihtwys weyes ȝe wolde vs wis, Mane nobiscum, domine! (5) Vr bred, vr vche dayes foode, Drihten deore, þou vs diht. Vr dette, God þat is so goode, ffor-ȝiue vs for þi muchele miht, As we schul heom wiþ herte liht Þat in vr dette or daunger be. Leste we Rule vs not a-riht, Mane nobiscum, domine! (6) Dwelle wiþ vs, lord, leste we haue teene, Lede us to no temptacion. In eny synne ȝif we beo seene, We prey þe of Merci and pardoun; Wiþ al þe Mekenes þat we moun, We schal crye, knelyng on kne: Vppon bere whon we beo boun, Mane nobiscum, domine! (7) Lord, dwelle with vs in al ur neode; Wiþ-outen þe we haue no miht, Vr hondes vp til vr hed to beode, Wit nor weole sauereþ no siht. In eny caas ȝif we ben cliht, We con not but we crie to þe, In al vr neode boþe day and niht, Mane nobiscum, domine! (8) Ho dwelleþ wiþ þe, þar haue no doute ffor no synne ne sodeyn chaunce. But ay þe fend is fast aboute To putte vs, lord, fro þi plesaunce; Whon we beoþ out of gouernaunce, Vr flesch is frele, we can not fle: Keep us out of al cumbraunce, Mane nobiscum, domine! (9) Dwelle wiþ us, lord of loue and pes, And make þi wonynge vs wiþ-inne, In Charite þat we encres, And kep vs out of dedly synne; Torn neuer þi face from us to twynne; ffor Marie loue, þat Mayden fre, Whon we schal eny werk beo-gynne Mane nobiscum, domine! (10) Mane nobiscum, domine! Wiþ-outen þe we ben riht nouht. What Ioye or Blis weore þat to þe, To þeose þat þou hast deore abouht? In word, In wille, In herte and þouht, We schul preye to þe Trinite: Out of þis world whon we be brouȝt, Mane nobiscum, domine! 27. A Prayer to the Virgin Mary.

(14 stanzas of 12, abab abab cdcd.)

(1) AVe Maris stella, dei Mater Alma, Atque semper virgo, felix celi porta. Heil, sterre of þe Séé so briht! Þow graunt vs to ben vr gyde; Godes holi Moder riht, Þi worschipe walkeþ wyde; Al-wey Mayden þorw his miht, Þow sittest bi his syde; Blesset ȝate of heuene liht, Þow rede vs riht to ryde! Ladi, we ben maked al glad: ffor þou weore meoke I-founde, Godes Moder weore þou mad, I-Blesset beo þat stounde! (2) Liknet artou to sterre of séé, To lihten vs, grete and smale; Godes Moder ay to be, ffor vs þou telle vr tale; ffor þi Maydenhod so fre, Þou bring vs out of bale; Help us in-to heuene fle Out of þis wopes dale. Ladi, bring vs out of wo! ffrom Bales þou vs borwe! Godes Moder and Mayden also, Þou saue vs out of sorwe! (3) Sumens illud Aue Gabrielis ore, ffunda nos in pace, mutans nomen eue. Takyng þat word Aue— Þat sonde sat þe seete— Of Gabriels mouþ so fre, Þorw God he gon þe grete. Prei for us in pes to be, Wiþ murþes mo to meete; Eues name i-tornd for þe Þat sit us softe and swete. Ladi blisful, Meoke and Mylde, Þat word in Ioye us pultus; Godes Moder, prei þi childe Þat he for-ȝiue vr gultus. (4) Aue worþily þe fel, Þat was þe ȝarked ȝore Of þat Angel Gabriel, Þorw ȝift of Godes lore. Prey us pes, þer to be snel, Þou salue us of vr sore; Siþ þat Eue is tornd so wel, vr blisse is wel þe more. Ladi, qween of paradys, To þe we schullen calle, Godes Moder, wommon wys, And Mekest most of alle. (5) SOlue vincla reis, profer lumen cecis, mala nostra pelle, bona cuncta posce. Gulti bondes here vnbynd, Vr gultes ben to fele; Seend hem siht þat here aren blynd, Þou bring vs to þi wele; Put a-wey vr wikked wynt, Vr synful lyf þou heele; Alle goodes aske and grynt, And sent vs of þat Meole. Ladi, nou þat hit is þus, Help we weore vnbounde; Godes Moder, prei for vs To him wiþ blodi wounde! (6) WE han agult, vnbynd us here, Wiþ Merci fond vs fede; Send þe blynde, lokyng clere, To hele us here tak hede; Put a-wei vr wik in weere, Þat doþ us driȝe and drede; Aske us God wiþ-outen peere, Þat holliche heuene meede. Laydi, nou þin help a-non, Þer of þat we ne fayle; Godes Moder, a-ȝein vr fon Þou most be Countur tayle. (7) MOnstra te esse matrem, sumat par te precem qui pro nobis natus tulit esse tuus. Scheuh þat Moder art, enclyn To him þat dyȝed on Roode; He, þorwȝ þe, tak preyer myn, Þat bouȝt us wiþ his bloode; Boren for us was he so fyn, Hit com al vs to goode; He bi-com heere sone þyn, Þi Milk þen was his foode. Godus Modur, þou him beere, Þi Milk nas non Ilyche, Ladi, him to fostren heere; Þat Burþe was ful riche. (8) MOdur, scheuh þat þou art fre; Þe may no murþe misse; Do þat we ben herd þorw þe, Þou bring us to þi blisse. I-boren for us forsoþe was he, Þe synful men to wisse, He þat tok þi child to be, Þi Mouþ wiþ his to kisse. Ladi briht, wiþ eiȝen gray, Such cos þou geete with winne; Godus Modur, Niht and day Þou help vs out of sinne. (9) Virgo singularis, inter omnes mitis, nos culpis solutos mites fac & castos. One, peereles Maide now, Þin help adoun þou seende; A-mong vchone, Meoke artou, Aȝeyn þe we ben vn-heende; Sinne bond vs, þow wost hou, Þis world vs wol a-bleende; Make vs meoke, cast in a vou In-to vr lyues ende. Ladi, bring vs out of strif, Vs geyneþ nouht to ȝelpe; Godus Modur, al vr lyf We spillen, bote þou helpe. (10) Mayden al-one, buyrde briht, Wel brihtor þen þe Sonne; Mekest Mayden, most of miht, Vr gatus þou bi-gonne; Sinne bond vs day and niht, We spillen þat we sponne: Mak vs meke and clene in siht, Þen is vr game I-wonne. Ladi, lene vs of þi liht, ffor ȝit we ben to blynde; Godes modur, send vs miht, Þe rihte wei to wende. (11) VItam presta puram, iter para tutum, Vt videntes Ihesum semper colletemur. And leen vs clene lyf also, Þis lyf is serwe and sake; Diht vs siker wei to go, Þis sunful lyf þou slake; Get vs Ihesus to seo þer-to, Þorw siht of him to a-wake, vs to gladschupe euer-mo, Þin help vs þou by-take. Ladi louelich, feir and fre, Þou lilye whyt of face, Godus Moder briht of ble, We tristen to þi grace. (12) Clene lyf ȝif vs to-day And forþward euer-more, Greiþ vs here a syker way; We stomble ofte and sore; Siht of Ihesu, wel þou may, Ȝif hit þi wille wore, Þorw þat siht to glade vs ay, So lyking is þi lore. Ladi al in liht I-schrud, Þeos wordes ben ful soþe; Godus Modur, Qween I-kud, Tak þi seruauns to þe. 28. A Prayer to the Trinity.

(2 stanzas of 12, abab abab cdcd.)

(1) Sit laus deo patri, summo christo decus, spiritui sancto, tribus, honor vnus. Amen. In God ffader heryng sit, Þer aftur schul we calle; To þe Sone al ful of wit On kneo we schullen falle; Þe Holigost, to vs þou flit In graces for to walle; Wit and Grace and strengþe hit, We schul hem herie alle. On is God of mihtes most ffeiþ fully for to fonde, ffader and Sone and Holigost Al on is vnderstonde. (2) ÞE ffader was, and ay schal be, And is wiþ-outen ende; Þe Sone dyede vppon þe tre, Vr falce foon to schende; Þe holygost, þat makeþ þre, Þat may vs grace seende: Al is on In Trinite, What wey þou turne or weende. I may sei wiþ-outen bost Þe holy Book leyh neuere. ffader and Sone and holygost Beo wiþ us nou and euere! amen.[The Vernon MS. ends here. Nos. 29-30 are from the Simeon MS., Addit. 22,283, Brit. Mus., leaf 134.] 29. But thou say Sooth, thou shalt be shent.See the former "Who says the Sooth, he shall be shent," p. 683.

(9 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)

(1) Who so loueth endeles rest, Þis false world þen mot he fle, And dele þer-wiþ bot as a gest, And leue hit not in no degre. Hit is but trouble & tempest, ffals fantasye & vanite; In þat þraldom who so is I-þrest Him mot eschewe al charite. Þat day þat eueri mon schal se His dedes schewed & his entent, What maner mon so þat he be, But he sey soth, he schal be schent. (2) Seyth now dauid in his sawe In þe sauter book openly, Þat whoso to þe worldus lust drawe, In his lyf is leef to lye Þat he ne leueþ not on godus lawe, But forsakeþ hit wylfully. And, for him stont of god no awe, In bremful bale he schal hit by, When concience his werk schal wrye; And as he doþ, he dom schal hente: Whit-outen restores or remedye, But he sey soth, he schal be schente. (3) A lesyng is with-outen doute Wel worse þen sommen taken hede, ffor, haue þe tonge onus told hit oute, Abrod þen schal hit sprynge & sprede, And renne ful ryf in eueri route; And be hit onus so blowen on brede, Þey men wolden aftur knele & loute; Men may not stoppe hit with no mede. Such lesyngus þen I rede ȝe drede, Lest ȝe in bittur bales ben brent. ffor þer nis non so styf on stede, But he sey soth, he schal be schent. (4) Þou miht als chep robbe a mon As with a lesyng lese his name. What so þou spekest, where or whanne, Loke þat þou no mon diffame. Sey þe sothe, ȝif þat þou kan, Þou suppose to here a blame, fful sore þe stonde elles schal þou ban When truthe þi tales schal a-tame. To greue god, hit is no game, Þat lust & lykyng haþ þe lent; ffor outh þat þou const forge or frame, But þou sey soth, þou schalt be schent. (5) Ȝif þou be þrat to take þe deth ffor seyng soth, be not agast; Let not þe sothe be set be-neth, But truthe to mayntene, be ay studefast. Þenke þi lyf is but a breth, Þenke þou schalt passen, as mo han past. Clottes of clay þi cors schal cleth, Þi careyne vn-to wormes cast, When Gabriel schal blowe his blast, ffor soth sawe schaltou neuer repent. Þen leue hit lely, at þe last But þou sey soth, þou schalt be schent. (6) Alas! what corsed lyf is þis, Þat men dreden more þe world now here Þen him þat wrouȝte þe world I-wys, And al þing haþ in his pouwere. As men in questus seyn ofte a-mys, And stoppen quereles otrewe & clere; Such men þenkeþ not on heuen blys, Þat ȝeuen verdites in such manere. Truthe & kuyndenesse knyt in fere, God askeþ of vs non oþer rent; Þenne wyte hit wel withoute were, But þou sey soth, þou schalt be schent. (7) Þey þou kacche blame a þrowe ffor seyng sooþ more or lasse, Þenne aftur wþen þe treuþe is I-knowe Among goode men, as I gesse, Þou schalt be leef vch mon to trowe And worschyp for þi sothfastnesse. Þerfore I rede boþe hye and lowe, Sey soth and lette for no dystresse. Þyn owne wordus schul bere witnesse A-ȝeyn þe at þi Iuggement; When grete god þat doom schal dresse, But þou sey soth, þou schalt be schent. (8) Hold vp no monnus oyl, I rede, When he wenduþ out of þe wey, ffor such glosyngus makeþ mony quede, When non þe soþe dar to him say. Such flaterynge schal luyte stond in stude When god þe grete doom schal aray; And he þat best now here con plede, I leue he schal be lewede þat day, Whan crist schal his woundes dysplay, Þat for vs was on rode I-rent, And vche mon schal take his pay, But þou sey soth, þou schalt [be] schent. (9) ffor seyng soþ, þou miht not synne, But ȝif þou sclaundre eny wyȝth; Sclaundre no mon more ne nynne, ffor sclaundre stynkeþ in godus syȝth. Elles what quarel þou art ynne, Sey þe soþe, ay meynteyne þe ryȝth; And on þis wyse þou miht wynne Þe blysse a-boue þat blesseþ bryȝth, And endeles lyf þat lasteþ lyȝth. Þus I am sure þat þou miht hent, And elles, when deþ þi doom schal dyȝth, But þou sey soþ, þou schalt be schent. 30. A Morning Thanksgiving and Prayer to God.

(11 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1) Iþonke þe, lord god, ful of miht, Wiþ al þat euer I con & may, Þat hast me sauet þis ilke niht And suffret me forto abyde þis day. I-blesset be þou euer & ay, And halewed be þin hyȝe name; And worschypet be þou, lord, al-way, Wiþ hyȝe & lowe, wylde & tame. (2) In þe name of god þat al þing wrouȝth, Heuen & erþe and vche creature; In þe name of ihesu þat me dere bouȝth, Þat is god, godus sone so pure; Þe holygost, god in o figure, To þe, o god in persones þre, I be-take þis day of me cure, And wiþ þi tokene I marke me: In nomine patris & filij & spiritus sancti, Amen. Pater noster. Aue maria. Et Credo. (3) Lord god, þat þis day woldust make, And schope me to lyue þer-ynne, My body & soule I þe be-take. Þis day, lord, kep me out of synne, Wiþ trouþe þis day my lyflode to wynne, So þat I do þe non offens, ffrom þi lawe þat I ne twynne, Ne breke þi ten commaundementes. (4) Lord god Ihesu, as þou were boren in a dawynge, Of a virgyne pure & clene, Kepe me, lord, þis morewenynge, Þis day in dedly synne þat I not byn lene, ffor wyninge of erþelyche godus: ffrom flessch[ly] lustus & lykynge, Kepe me, lord, wiþ þi pressyos blod, ffrom temptacions of þe fende. (5) And as þou were turmentud sore In þat selue tyde of niht, Wiþ bobbyng, scorny[n]ge & wel more, ffort hit were dayes light [. . . . . ight] Sende me þis day do sum good dede In lettyng wrong & doyng riht, Þat þou, lord, mouwe quyte me my mede. (6) As þou were lord, when hit was day, Ofte examnet wiþ wordus grete, Wiþ bysschopes of ful gret aray, Wiþ proude prynces þat þe con þrete, Sende me þis day drynk & mete, And susteyne me in þi seruise; Ȝif I be mys-hap, lord, þe fo[r]ȝete, Þorw þe, lord, let me aryse! (7) Lord I be-take þe my fiue wyttes; Myn yȝen, þat I synge not in syȝth. Lord, my mouth open hit in þi werkes, Þer-wiþ þat I may speke truþe & riȝth. Myn heryng, lord god, dele & dyȝh To here noþing aȝeyn þi wille; My nese, lord ihesu ful of myȝth, Kepe hit þat I non vuel smel. (8) Lord, kep & lede my feet also Þat heo don þi seruyse, Þat with hem I not mys go. Myn honden, lord, kep on alle wyse, And set hem, lord, in such asyse Þat I, [o] lord, with hem not synne. And ȝif I do, lord, let me aryse, And let me not longe lygge þerynne. (9) Þeyȝ I haue syngut her-be-fore, Let me not for-garte þi grace. I crye þe mercy, lord, euer more; Of amendement, lord, sende sum space, And sende my soule for my trespace. Þenke, lord, I am þi creature, And sende me, lord, help now in þis cas Þi mercy out ouer al mesure. (10) Lord, wharto woldust vengaunce take On me þat ȝelde me þus gulty? I may not amendus make, But put me holly in þi mercy, And for my synne I am sorye: Þenk, of my self no myȝth I haue; But þou me help, in synne I dye: Þi grace, mercy,? for 'grete mercy' lord, may me saue. (11) My soule, my body, lord god ihesu, I now by-take in þi kepynge; Kepe me, lord, in þi vertu, In al my werk & al my worchynge. In þi nome be al my doynge! In þe nome of Ihesu I be-gynne: Lord god ihesu al weldynge, Þis day kepe me out of synne! Amen![The rest of the leaf is blank.] VARIOUS READINGS TO THE VERNON MS. XXXIV. ST. GREGORY'S TRENTAL, p. 260. From MS. Lamb. 306, fol. 110. Title. Here folowth Sent Gregoris Trentalle. I-writte men fynt . fayre wrote moder . hir lyffe al. helden . howsewyffe maneres . mode þat om. gode Bonowre gesshed Also . I-holden om. she it felde . hire om. foule case And tra|vailde . his om. trecherye lad . in to synne of l. luste of loue So fer that she So prevely ner-the-lees she her bare was nomane ware noman . witte . case the childe borne Be the necke the ch. she wriede she beryede she a-combred She sh. she . holdene (I- om.) She . preeste were fayne . name as om. she . and of gode fame Twyes efte-sones R. as hite to-forne was she kyne and of sonne . seynt om. alle her durste she no sh. showe be shrefte . were shame . to hide ther sh. lese . of god alle-myghte sethen . lyve . so om. synfully And fallene to dethe sodeynly womans dedis were . asspyede sothely afterward she. Whan she . seene. she was . hie so om. had al she was . in hevene b. litelle after Her sonne . at the mas stode moder hee t. . gode sodeynly in the myd mas drewe to him a grete d. blacked alse derke as m. in the Al om. Stonyed he was of a stynche fulle stronge gresely in swonyng . alle-moste Be-sides . vnder . lere A|meddes . that þat drewe greisely Bute as a f. was hir ragged . rente and also eville dredfulle . be-hold . deville nose . and om. Eyes fflammynge fulle of brennynge lyes hit om. fullyche . bi godis m. deuelis shulde drade by righte eke om. blode mankynde diede . Rode Sey thou me the s. wel s. hate thou the c. that þou weked wreche do der answerde . chere modyr . bere vnshrevyne dedis bittyr . brene Tho answ. . alas alas Allas om. this is a w. c. my om. I om. see wendyne witterlyche I-wis That thou . wel om. to haue hevene b. þat om. that thou. praye . levene . ȝit om. moder . fyne payne She was . such om. wecked . me om. wenede synned wickedly the whiche . ne om. durste me neuer shryve She . her ffrom one tille other . riht om. moder Yf o. the may save and socoure Wheþer fastynge or penaunce may þe a. Bedis . to brygge Withe coste and crafte and other thinge To the be h. of any savynge dere blessyd sonne . she bee savide . be wele Who-so . trentelle cheffe festis . yere one Thre Epuphanie one v. one v. one v. oþur om. trenite one v. of om. þe Assumpcione ben tho ilke festis tenne souerenly socourene What preeste seith . with-oute f. soulis . shuldene myche a. In one yere with-oute trayne Delyuer sowles . ful om. payne But latte say this . heste euery vtas of euery feste this m. Shalle sey . this orisons too Trewly . ony were thorowe-oute Do hem it to saye Or . thes m. Who-so wille in . this myche. Lat. Oracio: Deus qui es nostra Redempcio. God that arte oure To owre sowlis sothefast saluacione chesest. of hest . be suffrest the soules f. helle blame Brynge hem . fendis bonde oute of hethen mene honde And that pepille . levith . on Throwe . amendide may trustyne on . merce hem alle for thi pite this wille ffor om. a mane moste holdynge artte . am . sonne these m. . shonne Ayenes alle the . dede I pray the holiche moder twel-mothe Holiche thi state . shewe faryst . mowe it k. she . wille in ffaye she vansshede awaye. lette (for- om.) neuer to sey. were assigned helpe . pyned He toke . alwey Als om. praide him to doo tyme a twelmothe at the . stode Holy in prayers w. de|vociouns gode the s. sawe . a wondere sely dressyd place . shone Comly and crowned Two Angilles heldene. so om. y-Ravesshede felle downe flatte to-for hir fete Devoute teres ther he lete grete . wel om. stevyne Modyr modyr she . ame . she bee sothe . seste . here thi moder . bere Beforne . woste wele Righte foule as a deville of helle swiche . seste here Throwe helpe . prayere i-dresset om. in to . clere blessyd . bere And sonne for thi gode dede be laten this massys this doo Shalle haue . and the s. When she hadde this saide anone The angelle to hevyne with hire con gone. To that place gode That wonnethe in blysse w. e. Then follows the Appendix of MS. Cott. Cal. thus: Now haue we herde fayre and wele The vertue of seinte Gregories tren|telle. Who-so wille do hite parfitely He moste do more therto trewly. The preeste thate shalle this trentalle synge, Atte euche feste thate he dothe mynde He moste sey withe gode devocione Euery evyne the comendacione, Placebo & the direges he moste sey also, The soules to brynge oute of woo, And also the spalmes sevyne Thate helpethe to brynge the soule tille hevyne; ffor a-monge alle other they bethe gode To brynge the soule from helle flode; ffor euery salme dothe quynche a synne As ofte as any mane dothe them be|gynne And withe gode devocione seith þem to the ende: Then may the soules to hevyne wende. Therfore this salme[s] haue ye in thoughte. The xv salmes fore-yete ye noughte. The letany also ye haue in mynde— Loke thou leve hit not be-hynde; Withe gode deuocione thow hit saye, Ante to alle hallowne there-with to praye; Pray hem to helpe withe alle her myghte The soules to brynge to hevyne bryghte, There euer is day and neuer nyghte— Cryst grawnte vs grace to se thate sighte. Loke this be saide alle in ffere Euery day thorowe the yere And euery dayal. Neuer a loke thou note for|yette, This is to say, loke thou note lette! Ine the evtas of euery feste Also longe as they do leste— viij. dayes mene calle the vtas— The preeste moste sey in his masse A nobylle orysone it his holde The Collett that I of firste tolde. And aftyr the fyrste orysone Ther is a noþer of grete Renowne Thate to the soules is wonder swete, Mene calleth hite the secrete.Secrete: Omnipotens sompiterne deus (on the margin). And whan the preste hathe sacred his masse And vside and his handis I-wasshe, An othere orisone he moste saye That in the boke fyndene he may, The post-comyne men dothe hit calle,Post com.: Deus cuius misericordie (in the margin). That helpethe soules oute of thralle; Atal. And that this be done at euche a feste That the trentalle spekethe of mest and leste. Then may thou be sekyr and fulle serteyne To brynge the sowles oute of her payne To the Endles Ioye that lastethe aye— He vs graunte that fore vs dyede one gode ffrydaye. To that Ioye gode vs brynge Thate is Ine hevyne withe-oute End|yng. Pray we alle that hit so be, Amen amen pur charite.Explicit sent Gregorys Trentalle. XXXII. HOW TO LIVE PERFECTLY, p. 221. From MS. Addit. 22383 (MS. SimeonMS. Simeon being a mere copy of MS. Vernon without reference being had to any other MS., there are only slight differences in spelling, but no variants of material im|portance. I wish it to be understood that MS. Simeon has the reading of MS. Vernon also in those places where I have found it necessary to make corrections or emendations.). Beginning wanting. fol. 30 b. liueþ . no se witneþ fulliche Boke . calde seucne dedly er vertues þen þenne þe blis word . ȝou forto Sco (e erased) om. ordeynet lyuyng goode Religious worschupe biddynge wiþouten strif fyf goinge schuldest gret Maist þou self feir olde þenke . pray donge þenke long vche nouh lorn is om. vche schal eueri vche euer helpe . loft oft bi veyn vre vre beoþ þenke ȝoure formed stinkyng fformed pris no2 om. deuis wol . resoun suche sustur schuldest þenne he inst. of her Gostliche put Suche goodnes god om. hertely fuir watur schrift riht þenke perel wikked chaunces whahat hert . custodisti . saluum sanum . incolumen & ad . que . de tua euene bedde honest rest Biseche alle goodenesses lant angelus alle alle . doers biseke þe alle hert buxum departed made þe inst. of ȝe þeose goodnesse proprites fulliche her goode forto þing alle To om. beoyng . fleoyng þinge I- om. may þei no þing fele þenke Surmounteþ. ful þauh. stud . purueyde schende-schupe ordeyned made mendement goode Chastised suche vre seoþ febulnesse ouht fulliche Lyfte . þi But As þe b. redresse calde What perel forto doute þe vertues heuene Headline wanting. wraþe . envie glotenie . gedines But . monnus rehersen bettur lasse proud goodus Ȝe serwyng fare defaūte hert þenk slouh . wikednes wanhope hert meche vnquert hert vnquert deceyueþ putteþ harme doun Headline wanting ordeynet sende . vertues seide kyndam hande (cor.) lastande forto blis hert Pesible lecheri . or|deyned þe om. forto. Headline wanting. vertu nede god counseyle helpe. Headline wanting. vre fende wor|schipe þorwh inst. of wiþ lesse bihest Ordeynet toward forto vche . feste leste rest oþur fully helpe þen smert honde . hert weppen oþur nul neode hest witnis harme forto witnes þinge doinge furst þre cristen. Headline wanting. vertues teche furst þre þeose Techeþ neodeful þen þinge conyng ȝiue al lesyng knowyng know|ynge vertu vche louen. Headline wanting. Vnder harde dyȝinge heue persones comyng churche chirche . goode -lastyng oþur payne. Headline wanting. ordeyned furst -fadur bouht autere eftsone chirche Matrimonye diȝinge soule. Headline wanting. mones rihtwysnes strenþe do hoso most . go (!) cald deseyues riches callen brennyng cast. Headline wanting. redeli þursti seuenþe to burye Who so lest . myn ȝe inst. of þe citee lette sei gospel heore kyndam sermoun verray|liche oþur wolden þeose oþur wordes betre a nelde E suche kyngdom harme hit hit oþur lastande sande kyngdom lest heore hert pouert in quert pouert. XXXIII. THE VISIONS OF ST. PAUL, p. 251. any Archangelus seiy Brennyng synnes brennyng diuerses furst þynke stynke penaunce soulus . alle wheol tymes fendes of h. þe turment sauh toke . kepe sauh And w. goode him Riht aftur wepte churche dud bries aboute biturned sauh . derke amonges ff. rest wanting. XXXV. THE Prick or SPUR of Love, p. 268. techen preyet ȝoure ȝerne forte Headline: How meditacioun bryngus mon to loue god. Tak to god . wol is inst. of be Eres . ben om. þin mok muchel anoþur worm is þou hast Riht foul forte headline: How þou schalt þenke ou þi soule. wondur pleseþ art þou drad forte amis bi watur tended headline: Of þe Nobleye of god an hiȝ miht haue makynge . a om. such a be om. haue deop watur . eorþe. oþur forte = V. stude ordeyned schendschipe Seoþþe to om. be alle to Þe while sterrus vertuwe þis is Headline: To þenke of þi sunnes oþur euel Sunne ȝeorne Aftur rikene = V. a mon forte oþur Of oþur mennes euel forte hous lond weole euel þin forto oþur cald þeofþe wiþ|outen þe om. kun Headline: Remedy aȝey[n] þe seuen dedly synnes Blessynge beoþ lure freondes wondur glotun þei om. I-blessed on g. b. Þe seuen Head|line: Of þe spirit of drede. euel forte Þe worldes wele ȝif we ben wyse headline = V. ben inst. of beren wilne in h. I. . filde forte euel take inst. of hente . euel forte forte Euel Or oþus wiþoute Beoþ to þe habeþ forte Stele þou tel euel oþur aftur Headline want|ing. þe 1 om. wiþ inst. of þorw aftur Headline wanting. rikenen no mon haue preosthod sacramentes al Preost Ioye ordeyned out of . weende eende Oyngement verrement Headline wanting. But schul dettes fursti forte is inst. of vs Headline wanting. þou maiȝt ȝit schalt þou Þen schalt þou watur alle furst wisch and likyng þou schalt pyne inst. of mischef Headline wanting. enymyte vche is . oþures þat þe verrement oþur oþur soþur Corouned aȝeyn art þou siker of heiȝ Headline wanting. con teche Head|line wanting. hem departe and houre oþur. Headline want|ing. I-sched an heiȝ þeof as cos alle I-lad biforen A. Headline wanting. bobbed þauh. Headline wanting. dis|ciples þen om. Headline wanting. boþe om. Corouned . ich ff = V. send þauȝ not soþliche. Headline wanting. blynt watur dispit alle turned preyere . fastyng . þerfore poned inst of. fruscht coroune. Headline wanting. wusch wariede hosel þauh stillely þeose vers Headline wanting. ooþure ooþur nedde Ouþur had don cunnynge not or l. coome goome in om. XXXVII. A GOOD MAN AND THE DEVIL, p. 329. ferrene . feeryng chirche leute haue to me . trust comen schul vr hose . come to Pride . firste seuenþe lesse fforte loue vchone oþer broþer of2 om. neihȝebur But . mihtestou oþur heued vndurstod Aftur I-þonked I wol not (ne om.) And al haþ he . I-worschipt tene . forte godus So seide oute ihte firste let dispuityng huide not pride I-witen ouer bi schaltou wel vndurstod pruite naket wosschen miȝten ha I-woned weren . dude euel I-greued nis oþur had ȝeluh heore þonkus onus Vitrede fyle pruide strie . godus . turne no mon But ȝif Godes Much . cold . ers grentras And om. hornus . heor . vche heor foule heor sunne be coþes seiȝe þen of oþur wysur richor After add: Þen þow be bi an hundred fold ful wo forþinke ho m. þenne euel . þenne þe vndurstod þat 1 om. toþer after preost hit is schulde ȝifþ I-ȝeuen . I haue seyd oþur mostou . needes deeþ hit him boldeli (che erased) schomefulli (che erased) þi fust wiþ knyf bete strong and hardy darst þe balde|loker þou maiȝt seche stunt . not oþure skeer vndurstod ful om. euel meengeþ turneþ morwe after sunne amendet I-set broþer þenne conne cunnen byforen weore mihte eny not weunleete leue þauh neuer fare bigunne ȝif couetous not wol heore leete nerre vndurstod in . biddynge hose trouþe wol oþur tymes him . him cors at erased haþ toun . feld . I-sene erþe forte fforte schaltou Executurs ful ille (on eras.) i- om., ete schaltou . maiȝtou Salomon make neodful neode schaltou watur . oþur neode mak wole þre kunne men leseþ om. maken euel aferd . hit schal he was I-bore lese Iop al luite is me not blessed . þin n. þat om. spekest he seide woltou leue hast þou muynde kuynde ordeynt bring spousyng hose not a om. gladli (che cras.) And he may beo liht vndurstod oute gretteste are wedded oþur euel sungest Nul peyne do are halue oþur nedde heore But heore aftur heor . to om. preostes wenestou churche come cantel hali luste haþ þenne hem neode neode churche Ak ȝif þei vndur|stod techyng weenden beoþ After sleepe But deede meede after neod weenden schrift . i- om. sore more comeþ But After added: Þerfore is good þat he craue Godes Merci to vndurfonge. fastor þeih fforsoþe gret wonder hit is ho . forte . rise (a- om.) him and for Noon muche vndurstond after Ianglyng ly cumbrement oþur worch apayed eete but euel wite wel he is dure forte drunk|enesse oþur vndurstod wiþoute kuynde glotons heor more Mel more . ned þreo a Baisch vndurstonde lengore But wiþ mylde fforte weenden kepe XXXVIII. THE CASTLE OF LOVE, p. 355. Four headlines wanting. þencheþ No. euel worschipe þenchen ffrensch . oþur speche seche Lof (t erased) leodene nouþur And aftur murþe hiȝe weore whuch ysaye trewelye þeose schul domes cunnen bigunnen hose ȝeorne ha(-bbeþ erased) at þe seuen not om. weoren beeren del I-brouht ofspring bettre euel . gode him wel vndurstoode vndur O . w. at-sprong streon ospring weole feole kuynde oþur oþer lawes him taken lyked laste. forfare neore synne synne synnes ffreor fforte synne myne oþur kyngdom eldest oþur suster But. vndur prison. Headline wanting. vndurstond Raunsoun feir tre be-gilede prison Boxumnesse swetnesse nere But prison. Headline om. suster prison ouhtest not But w. her-biforen. Headline om. beoþ tyȝed wrecchedam Seoþ schuldest vndurstod weende naket I-maket aftur beo fleo destruyȝed weoren. Headline om. come hem I am make witen wel þe pees eueri beoþ seþþe one om. goodschupe þer fayleþ wisdom And ffader here ffor inst. of And. flen But Heo mihten neuere wisdom mihtifol beden dryuen. oonde nouȝt corr. to ouȝt. fulfild vndurstonde weore boxumnes swetnes hose in eny sauiour women vndur Latin om. kyngdome seon beoþ wole weore. wonderful luitel wondurfol alle Ooþur vndur vndurfonge in2 om. euel he (-o erased) fleon heo corr. to hey deope. beoþ fleon aboute. oþur aftur eorneþ oþur watur he þer om. feirschipe such a al on aftur made kyngdom feole maide Maydens is newe vertuwes is corr. to as Buxomnesse on m. wiþ vertuwes sleihschipe worschipe euel hire seuene euel þorw And al was euere distruiȝed fulle oþur no (-nes erased) hire & fre om. he þorw neode foon ffeond ne om. transposed doþ Glotonye. euel Ich habbe þer þer þe þat om. I om. hem ha (-bbe erased) ded (-en erased) ȝemet flemet vndurstonde herkne I burþen I I chul I am (ch erased) þe inst. of to eorþe. þenken frendschip walde þolmodnes ȝiueth oþur stil forbad þerfore god lordschipe Boxumnes nuste. were seiȝ him. & om. Wer. I-come ȝeue bowe. Lat. om. Ihesus. go wei schaltou . Lat. om. Þ I am mymest bi-nime forward schulde . synne nil forward . Lat. om. forward. god wol wel holde tresun leste were . Lat. om. bitrayet dispuite þor disceysed Lat. om. Lat. om. ar as Lat. om. ichulle leste f. hundret seon. Lat. om. feond ȝiue. Lat. om. I chulle þat om. vndurstond þoruȝ. wiþoute synne al vnwresteschipe bere eiȝen buffetes I-meyn þer þenchen frendschipe wiþ-oute and h. f. sunne and ende fro Raunson bodi ȝit erased leggen fulfuld hundred were maat fforsoþe bileuede Ondurstondeþ mowen Headline: Of a kene swerd Me. cunne deede (n erased) seon beon hit weo (!) oþur brenneþ neoces of þis priuete tornde watur watur fele wiþ om. . . . .loues weren Buriels him to him also was god and is ne om. heiȝe bineþen Boweþ . þulke vndurstonde paradys vndur was he aftur habbe hedde longede feondes feond he om. Myldeful . beon fulfilde schulle I-strened curs Beer strevne I-demed tymes þo þat Þat t. vp om. aros schewed preched þorsday weoren he hem wonhope om. woundes I wot atte f. ne om. beoþ beon streoned Þenne he deþ mowe lawes vr pes cende leden her after . weende eende APPENDIX. A FEW POEMS FROM THE DIGBY MSS. 2These were first printed in Herrig's Archiv, 1897. AND 86, AND ANOTHER LEAF. DIGBY 2. Christ on the Cross, p. 753. Hail Mary!These are ryme-beginning poems. p. 755. A Resolve to Reform,These are ryme-beginning poems. p. 756. DIGBY 86. Les diz de Seint Bernard, p. 757. Ubi sunt qui ante nos fue|runt? p. 761. Chauncon de noustre Dame (Christ's Dialog on the Cross with his Mother), p. 763. The sawe of Saint Bede, prest, p. 765. Coment le sauter noustre dame fu primes cuntroue, p. 777. A LEAF OF MS. A Confession of Sins, and a Prayer to Christ, p. 785. 1. Christ on the Cross.

(6 stanzas of 10 lines each, abab ccb ccb. þ is for MS. y.)

(1) Hi sike al wan hi singe, for sorue þat hi se: Wan hic wit wepinge bi-holde a-pon þe tre, Hi se ihesu mi suete his herte blode for-lete for þe luue of me. His wondis wexin wete: Marie milde and sute, þu haf merci of me! (2) Hey a-pon a dune, as al folke hit se may, a mile wytt-hute þe tune, a-bute þe mid day, þe rode was op a-reride: his frendis werin al of-ferde, þei clungin so þe cley. þe rod stonit in ston, Mari hir selfe al-hon, hir songe was way-la-way. (3) Wan hic him bi-holde wyt hey and herte boþe, Hi se his bodi colde, his ble waxit alle bloe; He honge al of blode, se hey a-pon þe rode, bi-twixin þefis two. Hu soldi singe mor? Mari, þw wepe sor; þu wist of al his woe. (4) Wel ofte wan hi siche, hi make mi mone; Hiuel hic[? hit] may me like, and wondir nis hit non, Wan hi se honge hey, Ande bitter peynis drei, Ihesu my lemmon. His wondis sor[e] smerte, þe sper his at his herte, Ande þorit his side gon.MS. rubd (5) Þe naylis beit al to longe, þe smyt his al to sleye, þue bledis al to longe, þe tre his al to heye, þe stonis waxin wete: Allas, ihesu, mi suete, feu frendis hafdis þue;MS. rubd But sin Ion murnid, And Mari wepnid, þat al þi sorug seys. (6) Wel ofte wan hi slepe, wit soru hic ham þoit soit; Wan hi wake and wende, hi þenke in mi þoit, Allas þat man beit wode! bi-holdit an þe rode, and silit hic [han broit]MS. rubd. Hir souelis in to sin, for any worlde hit? worldis. win, þat was so der hi-boyt. 2. Hail, Mary! Digby MS. 2, leaf 6, back.

(A ryme-beginning poem.See Early English Poems and Lives of Saints, in Philol. Soc. Trans. 1872, and note the frequent central rymes here. 5 stanzas of 8 lines, aaaa abab.)

(1) Hayl, mari! hic am sori: haf pite of me, and merci! mi leuedi, to þe i cri: for mi sinnis, dred ham hi, wen hi þenke hat hi sal bi, þat hi haf mis hi-don in worde, in worke, in þoith, foli: leuedi, her mi bon! (2) Mi bon þu her, leuedi der, þat hic aske wit reuful cher! þu len me her,'lefdi der' follows, dotted under as a mistake. wil hic am fer, do penanx in mi praier; ne let me noth ler, þat þu ber, at mi nendin day; þe worlais, þai wil be her, fort[to] take þair pray. (3) To take þar pray, alse hi her say þai er redi, boyt niteNote the absence of the guttural gh. Compare Capgrave's Chronicle, and his St. Katharine, E. E. T. Soc. and day; so strange er þai, þat we ne may A-gaynis þaim stond, so way la way, but þu gif helpus, mittefulNote the absence of the guttural gh. Compare Capgrave's Chronicle, and his St. Katharine, E. E. T. Soc. may, Wit þi sunes grace; Wan þu comes, þai flet a-wai; dar þai not se þi face. (4) Þi face to se, þu grant hit me, lefdi ful-fillid of pite, þat hi may be in Ioy wit þe, to se þi sone in trinite, þat sufferid pine, and ded for me and for al man-kyn: his flesse was sprade on rode tre, to leysus al of sine. (5) Of sine and kar, he maked vs bar, Wan he þollid pines sar; to drupe and dar, we athe wel mare, alse for þe hondis doyt þe har, wan we þenke hu we sal far wan he sal dem vs alle, we sal haf ned[e þan &] þare, a-pon mari to calle, &c. 3. A Resolve to Reform.

(A ryme-beginning poem. 3 stanzas of 6, aaab ab. þ is for MS. y.)

(1) No more willi wiked be; Forsake ich wille þis world-is fe, þis wildis wodis, þis folen gle; ich wul be mild of chere: of cnottis scal mi girdil be, becomme[n] ich wil frere. (2) Frer menur i wil me make, and lecherie i wille asake; to ihesu crist ich wil me take, and serue in holi churche, all in mi ouris for to wake, goddis wille to wurche. (3) Wurche i wille þis workes gode, for him þat boyht us in þe rode; from his side ran þe blode; so dere he gan vs bie: for sothe i tel him mor þan wode, þat haytit? for 'hantith,' practises. licherieMS. Digby 86, c. 1275 A.D., leaf 125, back. Bodleian Library. 4. Les diȝ de seint bernard comenceent .I. ci tres beaus.(Printed before in Anglia, III. 59, etc., by Varnhagen.)

(9 stanzas of 6, aab, ccb.)

(1) Þe blessing of heuene king, And of his moder, þat swete þing, Mote we all hauen! He ous ȝeue good beginning, And clene lif at oure ending; Þat auhte we alle craven. (2) Lestneþ me a luitel þrowe, Ȝe þat wilen ou selven cnowe! Ounwis þau ich be, .I. shal hou tellen, alse ich can, Wat holy writ spekeþ of man; Lestneþ nou to me! (3) Seint bernard seiþ in his bok, Þa[t] man is werm, and wermes hok, And wermes he shal feden; Wen his lif him is bireued, In his rug and in his heued Shulen grisliche wermes breden. (4) Þe fles sal melten from þe bon, Þe senewes sundren euerichon, Þe body hit sal defien. Ȝe þat wilen þat soþe .I.-seen, Oundoþ þe graues þere þey been, And lokeþ wat þere lien. (5) Mon, þou art a feble fom, Ne hauest þou here non siker hom; Ne seye ich þe bote skil; Þi riȝte stude is helles wer; Ihesus lete ous comen þer, Þorou his swete wil! (6) Þi fles stont aȝein þi gost: Wen þou shalt deyen, þou ne wost, Nouþer day ne niȝt. Nedes costes þou most deyen, Ne may no rauncoun þe forbeyen; Greyþe þe wiles þou miȝt! (7) A fikel wind, mon, is þi lif, And deþ draweþ his sarpe knif; Þou do þe sone sriue! If þou counne loke riȝt, Ne hauest þou here bote fiȝt, Þe wiles þou art aliue. (8) For nou þou art wrong, nou þou art riȝt, Nou þou art heui, nou þou art liȝt, Þou skippest alse a ro; Nou þou art sek, and nou þou coverest; Nou þou art riche, and nou þou pouerest; Ne is þis muchel wo? (9) Þi fles þe seyþ niȝt and day, .I. wile hauen eise wil .I. may; Þi soule þe seiþ nay: If ich þe bere to muchel meþ, Þou wilt me bringen helle deþ, And wo þat lasteþ ay. (10) Þus hit goþ bitwenen hem two; Þat on seiþ 'let,' þat oþer 'do,' Ne cunneþ hey ne nere bilinnen; Wel we mowen alle .I.-seen, Þe soule auhte maister to been, Þe pris hoe hautte to winnen. (11) Mon, be þou nout þi self ouncouþ; Loke wat comeþ out at þi mouþ, Ne findest þou non so fouvel dinghep,altered from 'dinhhep': l. 64 is written after l. 66. Þey þou loke al abouten, And elles wer wiþ-houten, Wel hinderliche þou nim þe kep. (12) Þou hauest, man, in þat foule hous, A þing þat is wel precious; Wel dere hit wes .I.-bouht: Ich helde þe for wilde and wod, If þou letest so muchel god, Þe deuel hauen for nouht. (13) Mon, be waker and be wis; If þou doun fallest, sone aris, Ne li þou none stounde: Wiþ alle þi miȝte, if þou dost þis, Þi soule seyt, and soþ hit is, Ioye þou hauest .I.-founde. (14: Man's Three Foes. The First, his Flesh.) Mon, þou hauest þre wikke fon; Here nomes con ich euerich on; Nou ich shal tellen alle: Þin owene fles, þe world, þe fend; He þat scholde ben þi frend, He doþ þe raþest falle. (15) Þou cloþest him wiþ faire sroud, Þou makest þi fomen fat and proud. If ich hit dourste seyen; Þou dost þi self wel muchel wrong, Þou makest þi foman fat and strong To fiȝten þe aȝein. (16) Þou do bi counsail and bi red; Wiþdrau him hofte of his bred, And luitel ȝef him to drinken; Ne let him noþing Idel gon; Þou do him pines mani on, And ofte do him to swinken. (17: Man's Second Foe, the World.) To coveitise of mani þing, Þe werld þe draweþ; and misliking Hit giueþ þe more and more. Fals he his, and feir he semeþ, And alrebest, wen he þe quemeþ, He bindeþ þe wel sore. (18) Þou wost þe world shal gon to nout, Ne hauest þou noþing hider ibrout, Ne nout shalt bere wiþ þe; Þou shalt alone gon þi way, Wiþ-oute stede and palefray, Wiþ-oute gold and fe. (19: Man's Third Foe, the Fiend.) Þi þridde fo, þat foule wiȝt, Þe fondeþ boþe day and niȝt, Þeron hise gilles alle: Þou wost wel he ne loueþ þe nout, He fondeþ to chaunge þi þout, And do þe for to falle. (20) Þou wost he ne wille þe no god; He wolde hauen þin herte blod; Þou be war of his hok! Do nou also ich haue þe seid, And alle þre sulen ben aleid Wiþ here owene crok. (21) If þou seyst þis spelis hard, Ne may .I. nout swech foreward Holden, ne wel drie; A litel þing ich axe þe; Þou sei me soþ, par charite, Þer-of þat þou ne lie.c. 1275. MS. Digby 86, leaf 126, back, col. 1. 5. Ubi sonnt qui ante nos fuerount?

(10 stanzas of 6, aab, ccb.)

(1) Uuere beþ þey biforen vs weren, Houndes ladden and hauekes beren, And hadden feld and wode? Þe riche leuedies in hoere bour, Þat wereden gold in hoere tressour, Wiþ hoere briȝtte rode, (2) Eten and drounken, and maden hem glad; Hoere lif was al wiþ gamen .I.-lad, Men keneleden hem biforen; Þey beren hem wel swiþe heye; And in a twincling of an eye Hoere soules weren forloren. (3) Were is þat lawing and that song, Þat trayling and that proude ȝong, Þo hauekes and þo houndes? Al þat ioye is went away, Þat wele is comen to weylaway, To manie harde stoundes. (4) Hoere paradis by nomen here, And nou þey lien in helle .I.-fere; Þe fuir hit brennes heuere: Long is ay, and long is ho, Long is wy, and long is wo; Þennes ne comeþ þey neuere. (5) Dreȝy here man, þenne, if þou wilt, A luitel pine þat me þe bit; Wiþdrau þine eyses ofte; Þey þi pine be oun-rede, And þou þenke on þi mede, Hit sal þe þinken softe. (6) If þat fend, þat foule þing, Þorou wikke roun, þorou fals egging, Þere ne þere þe haueþ .I.-cast, Oup, and be god chaunpioun! Stond, ne fal namore adoun For a luytel blast! (7) Þou take þe rode to þi staf, And þenk on him þat þereoune ȝaf His lif þat wes so lef: He hit ȝaf for þe; þou ȝelde hit him; Aȝein his fo, þat staf þou nim, And wrek him of þat þef! (8) Of riȝtte bileue þou nim þat sheld, Þe wiles þat þou best in þat feld, Þin hond to strenkþen fonde, And kep þy fo wiþ staues ord, And do þat traytre scien þat word; Biget þat mvrie[? MS.] londe. (9) Þere-inne is day wiþ-houten niȝt, Wiþ-outen ende, strenkþe and miȝt, And wreche of euerich fo; Mid god him-selwen eche lif, And pes and rest wiþoute strif, Wele wiþ-outen wo. (10) Mayden moder, heuene quene, Þou miȝt and const, and owest to bene Oure sheld aȝein þe fende: Help ous sunne for to flen, Þat we moten þi sone .I.-seen, In ioye wiþ-outen hende. Amen! 6. Channcoun de noustre Dame. (A Dialog between Christ on the Cross and his Mother.)Printed before in Anglia, II. 253 seq.

(9 stanzas of 6, aab, ccb.)

(1) "Stond wel, moder, ounder rode, Bihold þi child with glade mode; Moder, bliþe miȝt þou be," "Sone, how may ich bliþe stonde? Ich se þine fet, and þine honde, .I.-nayled to þe harde tre." (2) "Moder, do wey þi wepinge! Ich þolie deþ for monnes kuinde; Wor mine gultes ne þolie .I. non." "Sone, ich fele þe deþes stounde; Þat swerd is at min hertes grounde, Þat me byheyte simeon." (3) "Moder, do wei þine teres: Þou wip awey þe blodi teres; Hy doþ me worse þene mi deþ." "Sone, hou miȝtte ich teres werne? I se þine blodi woundes herne From þin herte to þi fot." (4) "Moder, nou .I. may þe seye, Betere is, þat ich one deye, Þen alle mankyn to helle go." "Sone, .I. se þi body .I.-swonge, Þin honde, þin fet, þi bodi .I.-stounge: Hit nis no wonder þey me be wo." (5) "Moder, if ich þe dourste telle, If ich ne deye, þou gost to helle: .I. þolie deþ for monnes sake." "Sone, þou me bi-hest so milde; .I.-comen hit is of monnes kuinde, Þat ich sike, and serewe make." (6) "Moder, merci, let me deye, And Adam out of helle beye, And monkin þat is forlore." "Sone, wat sal me þe stounde? Þine pinen me bringeþ to þe grounde; Let me dey[e] þe bifore!" (7) "Swete moder, nou þou fondest Of mi pine þer þou stondest; Wiþ-houte mi pine nere no mon." "Sone, .I. wot .I. may þe telle, Hote hit be, þe pine of helle; Of more pine, ne wot .I. non." (8) "Moder of moder, þus .I. fare; Nou þou wost wimmanes kare; Þou art clene mayden on." "Sone, þou helpest alle nede, Alle þo þat to þe wille grede, May and wif, and fowel wimmon." (9) "Moder, .I. ne may no lengore dwelle, Þe time is comen, .I. go to helle: I þolie þis for þine sake." "Sone, .I.-wis .I. wille founde? .I. deye almest; .I. falle to grounde: So serwful deþ nes never non!" 7. Here biginneþ þe same of Seint bede, prest.

(7 stanzas of 6, aab, aab, or aab, ccb.)

(1; Of Heaven and Hell.) Holi gost, þi miȝtte Ous wisse and rede and diȝte, And help ous and teche To witen ous wiþ þe onwiȝtte, Þat bi day and by niȝtte Þencheþ ous bipeche, (2) Makeþ ous to don sunne, And abben to monkunne Swiþe muchel honde. He þencheþ ous biwinne, And wonien ous wiþinne, And ouer ous habben honde: (3) Ac bidde we crist ȝerne Hou þat he hem werne For his mildenesse, For hy þat to hem sulen turne, In helle hy shulen forberne, In hewche þesternesse. (4) We houten oure suppinde Herien of alle þinge, And louien hine wel swiþe, For he ous wille werien, Þat fendes ous ne derien, Þat folle beþ of niþe; (5) Ne be we nout here Swiþe fele ȝere, Bote we her, we henne wende: Makein ous clene and skere, Þat we in heuene, englene fere, Ben ho wiþ-outen ende. (6) In heuene, in þe blisse Þat muchel is midiwisse, And lesteþ euere more; Þer-inne is reste and lisse; Ne may þer no mon misse, Þat louieþ godes ore. (7) Ac hit saiþ in þe gospelle, Ne may non tounge al telle, Þe blisse þat þer is euere, Ne þe pine of helle, Þer-to we beþ wel swelle, Awey hit ne hendeþ nevere. (8) Þer-inne is chele and hete, And hounger ounimete, And þurst alles to kene; Pikede beþ þe shete, And wormes þer beþ kete, To don þe soule tene. (9) Þerinne is wop and woninge, And muchel bimeninge Þat hoe .I.-boren were; Ac þer nis non hendinge, Ne non aȝein-cher-hinge, Þat enes comeþ þere. (10) Wel we owen nimen gome He þat elles þider come, And seruen heuene kinge, And bidden him .I.-lome, Þat he ous at þe dome, Of here pine bringe. (11) Oute we owre sunnen leten, And munien crist, and beten, Of alle oure misdede; To doinde hoe beþ swete, For-þy ous is helle ȝete, Helle þat is ounlede. (12: aab, aab. The Seven Chief Sius.) Þe seuene heued sunne Þat we beþ ofte wiþinne, Þe soule wolleþ amerre; Hoe beþ of swikele kunne, Þermide þe wiþerwinne Ous alle þencheþ to bicherre. (13: aaa, bba) Modinesse, and ouerfastnesse, Onde, wrathes, swikelnesse, Hordom, and ȝeuernesse; Þis we houten alle ounderstonde, Þat moni men in londe Bringeþ to sorinesse. (14: aab, aab) For þis beþ þe seuene Þat bringeþ out of heuene, Swiþe fele monne; Þe weyes beþ in hoere wene Mid wepinde steuene; In-to helle hoe shulen þenne. (15: aab, ccb. The Pride of Rich Folk.) Hoe weneþ monie of þise riche, Þat he henglen ben .I.-liche For hoere proude cloþe, And þerfore hoe sulen scriken, And in helle siken, And crien hit foul wrothe. (16: aab, aab) So weneþ þis wreche, Þat hoe ne weren riche For-þi þat hoe haytte nabbeþ; Ac? MS. 'et': also in other lines. satanas þe wreche Þe soule wille drecche Wen hoe ani got habbeþ. (17) Þer iche midiwisse Miȝtte comen to blisse, If he hit wolde her nye, And þe wreche may wel misse, Bote he his pouernesse In mildenesse þolie. (18: The Sins of Monks and Priests.) Þis monekes weneþ soumme, Þat gedereþ garisoumme, Þat hoe hit shulen brouke; Ac wene? MS. At-wene. þe deþ shal comen, Hit shal hem ben binomen, Bitaut hoe beþ þe pouke. (19) Þe prest þat singeþ masse Þoru godes herienesse, And wot of techinge, And þer-of nul don almesse, In euche sorinesse His soule he may bringe. (20: The Sins of Knights.) Þes kniȝttes beþ wel bolde, For hy abbeþ aquolde Here ani cristine were; For-þi sa[t]anas þe holde Þe soule wil atholde, And makien hire oun i-fere. (21: The Sins of Lawyers.) Þes plaidours beþ wel kene, Þat werieþ red and grene. And al þis ounriȝt demeþ: Hy shulen, wiþ-houten wene, To helle þat is so kene, Þer þe fendes remeþ. (22: The Sins of Chapmen.) Þis chapmen monie bi strete, Hy beþ swikele ounimete, Hy ne reccheþ þan hy swerien For to abben here biȝete; For-þi satanas þe kete, Here soule wille derien. (23: The Working Bondman.) Of alle men on londe, Mest swinkeþ þe bonde, And mest biȝet mit riȝte; If he couþe ounderstonde And teþege riȝt ounder his honde, To crist he comen miȝtte. (24) Ac for alle his biswinke, If he may comen to sottes drinke, And stelen cristes teuþinge, Sstrong deþ hit wile him þenke, Depe in helle winke His soule he may bringe. (25: The Sins of Proud Ladies.) Þes proude leuedies Þat louen driweries, And breken here spousinge, And doþ to-gabbie, Þat loveden simonie Of eni gode þinge; (26) Hy draweþ here wede, Mid selkene þrede .I.-frendet and .I.-bounde: Swart and swiþe ounlede Bemen hy shulen, and grede Depe in helle grounde. (27: Lecherous Monks and Nuns.) Monekes and eremites and nonnen, Þat hem witen ne cunnen Wiþ swecche lecherie, Hy shulen to þere oun-winne: Alle here cloþes dounne Ne shulen hem warauntie. (28) Soþliche al betere him were Þat hy .I.-boren nere, Þat þider shule wende: Warin ich ou here; For ȝe þat enes comeþ þere, Þer ȝe beþ ha-bouten hende. (29) AatMS. Aat for Ac hy weneþ libbie And longe sunegie, And þene at þen ende Here sunnen al anendie, And birewsie, And seþþen to heuene wende. (30) Ne ben ȝe nout so ownriste Nou to ihesu criste, Þer-to ich ou lere; For þer nes non þat weste, Wiþ-houten ihesu criste, Wen his hon day were. (31) For ous ne beþ nout so eþe To-ȝeines houre deþe, Þawe ous moowen so wel hede, Ne speken bote ounþewe, For ous beþ stronge and wreþe To beten oure misdede. (32) Nout wiþ criste scolde Beten ous þenne on londe To habben houre riȝtte, Wen we him seruen nolde, Ne laufoul ben, ne holde, Her we non forþer ne miȝtte. (33) Soþliche, wen we beþ dede, Euerich sal fongen mede After his herihinge, Bote we ous þe bet bihede, Þe soule hit shal .I.-frede, Þat fareþ to pininge. (34) Þe hali me bindeþ, In here me him þringeþ, And bringeþ him hounder erþe, Wor meshim .I.-findeþ, To axnen hoe him grindeþ, Þarto hy shulen worþe. (35) He liþ and roteþ lowe, He ne haueþ þat be his owe Of aytte ne of londe, Ne nowþer mey ne mowe, Þat þer doren a þrowe Bi hem sitten ne stonde. (36) AcMS. At wer beþ þanne his haytte, Þa he here raytte, And in þis lif wonne? Soþliche hy beþ bi-payȝtte, Swecche oþere hoe beþ bitaiȝtte, Lat him no þonk ne cunne. (37) Ac wer beþ þenne his ringes, And his proude þinges, And his golt-peinte gloue? Wor al his proude þinges, Ne vailleþ him no þinges Þenne to his bihoue. (38) Sothliche, naked and bare, Wiþ wop and wiþ kare, Þou come to þisse liue; And so ȝe sulen eft-senes fare; .I. saye þe soth wiþ-oute sware; Greyþeþ ou biliue! (39: nine lines) Þe salt þe world forleten and lewe,[? rvmes] Þer-of ȝe shulden þenken ene, And oure sunne aquenche Mid beden and mid almesse, Wiþ-outen idelnesse, If ȝe miȝtten at-blenche From þe sori satanasse, And from his swikelnesse And from his heuele wrenche. (40) If þou fallest in sunne, Ne li þou nout þer-inne; Hieþe þe oup to arisen, And shend þe wiþerwine Satanas mid his pine, And doþe also þe wise. (41) For mon nohute nout to abbe soule, Wen his wrecche licome In sunnen be .I.-falle, Ac abbeyes houte dome, And ounwren his sunnen .I.-lome, And crist in fuir pineþ alle. (42: The Good of Shrift.) Þe mon him let wel sriven, And þene fend out driven, Ne þarf him nout shomie, For ne beþ in þisse live, Wepmen ne wimmen fiue Þat ofte ne svnegieþ. (43) At? for Ac þes modie gome And leuedies and þe ounrome Louteþ hem also þe ounwise, And þes ȝounlinges somme, Þey þat hoe to srifte come, Hoe beþ sottes and shomefaste. (44) Hy nulleþ soþ tellen, Þan me shulde hem quellen, Hy ounsweren here misdede: For-þi hoe shulen in helle Euere gronen and swelle, And euere-mo ben þer-inne. (45) Wenne eni gromeþ sore, Þe grome þuncheþ more Þen al hore oþer pine. To þe bi prestes lore Nolden herien godes hore, Þenne hoe hit shullen biwine. (46: The Last Judgment.) At þe mounte of olifete, Þer we ous shulen alle .I.-mete; Þe gode and þe ounwreste, Þe day worþ milde and sete; And bitter unimete To hem þat forlete To don godes heste. (47) Þer cumeþ god on his rode, And his side his a blode, And seweþ on he ous boute. Afered beþ þenne þe gode, And wo is þenne þe ouermode Þat þer-of ne route. (48) "Lokeþ," seyþ god nouþe, "Wat ich for ou ouþe, Wat ich for ou gon þolie; Luitel þonk ȝe me couþe, Ne mid werke ne mid mouþe Nolden ȝe me þonkie." (49) AtFor Ac he seyþ þenne to þe gode, And to his milde moder, "Ȝe duden gode dede; Ȝe me fedden and srudden, And wel me bihedden Þo ich among ou hede, And leide me a softe bedde; Þarfore ich ou wole aredde, For nou ȝe habbeþ nede." (50) Þe gode segeþ þenne, "Louerd, were and wenne Duden we þe gode deden?" "Ȝuse," he seiþ, "þe poure monne, Þo hoe help neden nen, Bote as hoe for me beden; (51) "AtFor Ac ȝe, mine gode midiwisse, To heueriche blisse To-day ȝe shulen wende; And þe at our sede, to sorinesse And to suche þesternesse, And þer ben euere, bouten ende." (52) He seiþ þenne to þe wreche, "Ȝe nolden nout hof me recche; For hounger ich aswal þroute: Ȝe nolden me in fecche, Ou self ȝe weren so frecche, So modi and so proude." (53) Hoe gredeþ þenne on heye, Þe wrecches and þe ounweye Þat loueden þe ounredes, And siggeþ, "louerd, wiþ oure eye We þe neuere ne seye Þer þou nede heuedest." (54) God seyþ, "ȝu se mine Povere ounhole hine Þat to oure dore come: For chele hoe heueden pine, For hounger hoe gonnen chine; Þer-of ne nome ȝe gome; (55) "Þer-of ȝe nolden hede, Ne ȝeuen hem of oure brede, Ne of drinke ne of cloþe: To-day ȝe sulen frede, And ounder-fongen mede, For, me ȝe be wel loþe." (56) Hoe ȝerreþ þenne and gredeþ; Þe fendes hem forþ ledeþ, Boþe licome and soule, Seþeþ hem, and gredeþ, Stikeþ hem and bredeþ Wiþ pikes and wiþ howeles. (57) Þe soule seyþ to onsuare, "Licom, al þou forfare So wrechede and so ounlede, Wor þou ous hauest .I.-wrout þis fare, And .I.-brout ous ewche kare Þat euere we shulen þolie. (58) "AtFor Ac þe gode and þe clene, Þan hoe .I.-seien ous þenne, Al þat cun þat we of come, Nulle hoe neuer ene Birewen ne bimene, Ne þar-to nimen gome. (59) "Hem self, hoe beþ so bliþe Þat hoe of wone siþe Moten ane day wonie, And þonkeþ god swiþe Ofte and monie siþe, Þat hy hit mosten herie." (60) AtFor Ac ȝif we ous wolden vel diȝtte, And leden ous mid riȝtte Þe wiles þat we her were, Ich ou sugge and pliȝtte, At þe domes ȝe miȝtte Ben englene fere. (61) AtFor Ac bidde we oure driȝtte, Þat dayes sop and niȝtte Þat do hour soule bote, So þat we miȝtte .I.-seiene ben at siȝtte Among þe hengles briȝtte: Amen, so hit be mote! Amen! 8. Coment le santex noustre dame fu primes cuntxoue.Printed by Horstmann, Altenglische Legenden, 1881, p. 220 seq. (1) Leuedi swete and milde, For loue of þine childe Þat is foul of miȝtte, Me þat am to wilde, From shome þou me shilde Bi day and eke bi niȝtte! (2) Ich wille biginnen here, And tellen þe manere, Nou at þisse stounde, Of þi sauter here, Mid wel gode chere, Ou hit wes .I.-founde. (3) Send me þine grace, Nou in þisse place So wel for to done; Ich nou bidde þi grace, And þer-to lif and space; Here nou mine bone! (4) Ariche man was wile, Þat nolde none gile; He louede holi chirche; Bi sides him a mile, On abbey of seint gile, His helderne gonne werche. (5) God lif þis man ladde; One sone he hadde, Þat gode dedes dede; Wiþ cloþ and wiþ bedde, His sone faire he sredde In þat ilke stede. (6) Monk he þere bicom, Wiþ abit he þer nom Bi his fader wille. Him louede god and mon, So faire he bigon, Wor euere he wes stille. (7) His fader him bimenede Þat he þer-inne wende, So ȝong sholde .I.-wis. He dede after him sende, Þat is nou þat ende, And made him muchel blis. (8) A maister hadde his sone, Þat wiþ him wes .I.-come, Cointe .I.-nou and sley; Hit wes his .I.-wone, To techen alle and some Þe ordre fer and ney. (9) He hede ofte aboute, Wiþ-innen and wiþ-oute, Wiþ þe louerd on day; Þe sone he lek þer oute, He hede for to aloute; Tellen ich ou may. (10) Þe leuedi ful of miȝtte, Þat bar oure driȝtte, In a chapele þere, Bi day and eke bi niȝtte, Out when he comen miȝtte, Were ware he were. (11) Ou alle ich telle may, On houndred, ewche day, He gretingges seyde; Wel he held his lay, And þe ordre, bi mi fay, For loue of þat meyde. (12) Wel he hedde bi-wrout, Wor god wes his þout, Þat wes wel .I.-sene; He ne les hit nohut, Wor he hit hadde about; Þeron his gode bene. (13) Ne let he none stounde Þat he ne fel to grounde, And on kne was bat, And þoute of þe wonde Þat god for al þe mounde On rode heuede .I.-sprad. (14) On houndret, to þe meyde, Aue maries he seyde, Bi tale heche daye, Ne hit nout ne aleyde; Ac so wel he pleyde, Riȝt soþ for to saye, (15) Þat he sau wel briȝtte, Oure leuedi foul of miȝtte, A settres-day .I.-wis, Were hoe sat wel riȝtte, .I.-cloþed half bi siȝtte, And seyde to him þis: (16) "Mi monk, ne dred þe nout, For .I. þe haue .I.-bout, And þe ich wille take; Þou hauest so goed-ful wraut, Ne worst þou nout bikaut; Goed ne shal þe lake. (17) "Ich þonke þe her nouþe, Þat þou, wiþ þine mouþe, Me hauest .I.-paied wel; Bi norþe and eke bi [souþe]The right lower corner of the MS. has come unpasted, and has fallen off. The words are supplied from the Auchinleck MS. in A Penniworth of Witte, Abbotsford Club, ed. D. Laing, and Altenglische Legenden, 1881, p. 221-3. Hit shal ben w[el (i)couþe] Þine dedes [euerich del]. (18) "Ac þou m[ost more say] Wor[me now euche day] Fifti al bi score Of aue maries, Fifti on day þries, Wite nou were-fore. (19) "Þat is riȝt mi sauter, And þou shalt witen her, Hou hit shal ben do: Fifty sege bi-fore, Tene euere bi score, And on anteme þerto, (20) "In tokning of þe blisse Þat fel me mid i-wisse Þo þe aungele to me com, And seyde me tidinge, Þat of me sholde springe He þat is god and mon. (21) "After, say wel sone, Fifti mid idone, Al for þat ilke blisse Þat he wiþ-outen [sore]Corner of the MS. gone. Wolde of me ben [bore] Þat þou þer [of ne misse] (22) "Þer-aft[er þou shalt say] Eft [fifti euche day] Bi [þine fingres ten] O[f aue maries] [Euche day þries] [Telle hit fele men!] (23) ["Fifti at þen ende,] [For I shude wende] [To mi sone þo,] [For blis and for to amende,] [Þat he to me gan sende] To me comen and go. (24) "He broute me to blisse, Þat neuer ne shal misse, In þat ilke stounde. Blesced be þat time, Þat alle brovte of pine, Þat weren þerinne .I.-bounde!" (25) "A, leuedi, .I. þe grete, For þou art fair and swete, And goed to serui wel; Graunte me þin ore, Wor .I. shal euere more Don þis euerich del. (26) "If ich dourste and couþe, Ich wolde .I.-witen nouþe, Leuedi, here of þe, Wi þe failleþ gore, Sleue, and nammore Of cloþ þat ich .I.-se." (27) "Þis cloþ þou me ȝeue Corner of the MS. gone.[On Se]ttresday aȝein eue, [Þorou] Aue maries. [Þo þou] me gvnne greten, [And nolde] to sugen leten [Twies e]wche dayes. (28) ["For þou most say more] [Þries fifti bi score,] [Al-so .I. teld þe,] [To-day a seveniȝtte] [.I.-clothed al ariȝtte] [Þou shalt me fair .I.-se] (29) ["Be here of al scille,] [And say wiþ gode wille] Alle þe gretinges; And I shal þe bringe From mi sone, þe kinge, Þanne gode tidinges." (30) Marie wente away, And þe monke euche day Seyde, riȝt þre siþes, Mid wel gode wille, Boþe loude and stille Þese Aue maries. (31) Þat day a seveniȝtte, Oure leuedi foul of miȝtte To þat moneke com, .I.-cloþed swiþe briȝtte In þat wede al riȝtte, And þonkede þat mon: (32) "Fair is, lo, mi wede, For bedes þat þou bede, And þou hauest quemet me: Mi sone þe wille rede, Þat noþing þe nadrede, Here ich hit telle þe. (33) "Vuene þou art home .I.-come, Þou shalt Abbot bicome, For þin Abbot shal deye. Haue euere in þi wone To suggen mi coustome, Þine Aues euche daye. (34) "Wend ouer al aboute [A]nd preche inne and oute [Þat] þis is mi sauter; [For al] þat euche day [Wille þis] for me saye, I shal hem ben wel ner. (35) "Monek, ich telle hit þe, Þat þou most, al for me, Wenden wide wore, And telle þis tidinge, And mine sone bringe Wel fele him bifore. (36) "Wor þoru Aue maries Þat mon shal sayen þries In þe worshipe of me, I shal hem helpen alle Þat to me wilen kalle, For soþ ich telle hit þe. (37) "Nis non þat shal deien, Þat wille þries seien Þese Aue maries, Wiþ-outen hosel and srifte, Bi daye ne bi niȝtte, Wor none folies; (38) "He shal in euche place Wel finden mi grace At his liues ende; And he shal hauen space, And finden godes grace, Him al to amende. (39) "Gon ich wille henne: Sey hit to mani menne Þis, and make hit couþ, Wor seue ȝer after þis Þou shalt deye .I.-wis, Ich telle hit þe wiþ mouþe, (40) "So longe is þi time To holden þe and þine, And hem for to teche; After þat, of pine Þou worst .I.-brout wiþ mine, Wor .I. shal ben þi leche.' (41) Marie wente away; Þe monek rod niȝt and day, Folk to gode bringe; Þoru þis ilke þinge And þoru his prechinge, Goed wes þe tidinge. (42) Nou ich bidde here Ou alle wiþ godes chere Þat ȝe suggen þries, Wiþ wel gode wille, Boþe loude and stille Þese Aue maries.(Les ounsse peines de enfer follow, which Stengel printed in his Catalog of this MS.) A Confession of Sins, and a Prayer to Christ.From a cut-down leaf of a late 14th-century MS., sent by the Rev. J. R. Burton, Headmaster of Kidderminster Grammar School, to the Deputy-Keeper of MSS. at the British Museum, Mr. G. F. Warner, who kindly showd it to me, and got Mr. Burton's leave for me to copy and print it. Swete ihesu crist, to þe, Copable wrecche ich ȝelde me, Of sennes þat ich habbe ydo Yn al my lyue hider-to, In pride, yn wraþþe, in vyl enuye, Yn glotonye, yn lecherye, Yn sleuþe, lord, yn þy seruyse, And of þis wordles coueytise: To ofte ich habbe, yn myne lyue, Ysenȝed wit my wittes fyue, Wit eren yhered, wit eȝen syȝt, Wit senfol speche dey & nyȝt, Wit cleppinges, wit kessenge also, Wit hondes yhandled, wit fet ygwo, Wit herte senfolliche yþoȝt, Wit al my body euele y wroȝt; And of al my [grete] folye, Mercy, lord, mercy, ich crye! Al-þaȝ ich senȝede euere, Lord, ich for-soc þe neuere. Ȝef þou me none med[e] Efter my senful dede, [. . . . .] Ak efter, lord, þy grete [pite],[back] Lord ihesu, asoyle þou me, And send me ofte, er [y deye], Sorȝe of herte and teres o[f eȝe] For sennes þat ich habbe [ido] Yn al my lyue hider[to]; And let me neuere b[e so nice] To do no maner dede [of vice], So þat ich, at myn end[yng day] Clene of senne deye [may], Srifte and housele at [myn ende], Þat my saule mote [wende] Yn-to þat blisse of [hevenriche] Þer þou regnest, lo[rd, ].[Two lines are no doubt left out after l. 22: the sense wants, 'If thou rewardest me according to my sinful deeds, I must go to hell,' or some equivalent words to make a couplet.]